Solar Dehydrator

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the development of a solar dehydrator, a project undertaken by a team of six Erasmus students from different countries during the European Project Semester at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto in the spring of 2019. The main objective of the European Project Semester is to develop teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills through team work and project-based learning. The purpose of the project was to design a sustainable solution to dehydrate and preserve food, build and test the corresponding proof-of-concept prototype, while respecting requirements such as the budget, the use of reusable materials and components or European Union directives. To achieve this goal, the team considered the technological, ethical and deontological, economic and environmental perspectives in the design of the Dryfoo prototype. This paper describes, after a short introduction, the performed research, the development and the testing of the proof-of-concept prototype, as well as the personal outcomes of this learning experience.

Performance Assessment of Affordable Solar Dehydrator for Sustainable Energy

“…Properly constructed solar dehydrators improve product quality and reduce the risk of deteriorating, dry food more quickly, reduce humidity and repel mosquitoes, and protect food from birds, dust, and insects than when drying it in the open (Hyder, Khan et al 2023). The dehydration process in foodstuffs is simply that of reducing the internal water content and, in certain instances, the intracellular water content of the food (Justo, Ribeiro et al 2019, Cabrera-Escobar, Vera et al 2024. The reduction in water content results in reduced water activity with a consequent reduced growth of microorganisms.…”