Solar power as a source of renewable energy is very useful in drying food items. Many places in rural India as well as urban India do not get sufficient power supply throughout the day. In such places solar dryer can be useful device for drying food items hygienically. A new improved design of a solar dryer has been worked out for drying produce in sufficiently large quantity. Apart from solar radiation and natural convection of air currents in the dryer one more feature has been added to improve the drying of fruits and vegetables. The feature is based on simultaneous generation of electricity by a solar panel and using it for creating an induced draft of air by fans installed in the dryer. These installed exhaust fans are run to force moisture laden air outside the dryer. This dryer achieves sufficiently high chamber temperature and dries product in accelerated manner. The dryer can be used in night time, and also during monsoon by using AC convective heaters provided in the chamber of the dryer along with DC converter of AC for exhaust fans.

ADVANTAGES

• By use of this dryer, the drying process is made approximately 1.5  times faster than normal sun drying procedure resulting in substantial weight reduction.
• It has no adverse effect on environment.
• Product is much more hygienic.

APPLICATIONS

The solar dryer in the capacity of 200 kg fresh food per batch is used for drying tomato slices, brinjal slices, potato wafers, green chilies, apricot pieces, mango slices, grapes, fish etc

INTRODUCTION

Solar power as a source of renewable energy is very useful in drying food items. Many places in rural India as well as urban India do not get sufficient power supply throughout the day. In such places solar dryer can be useful device for drying food items hygienically. A new improved design of a solar dryer has been worked out for drying produce in sufficiently large quantity. Apart from solar radiation and natural convection of air currents in the dryer one more feature has been added to improve the drying of fruits and vegetables. The feature is based on simultaneous generation of electricity by a solar panel and using it by creating an induced draft of air by fans installed in the dryer. These installed exhaust fans are run to force moisture laden air outside the dryer. This dryer achieves sufficiently high chamber temperature and dries product in accelerated manner. The dryer can be used in night time, and also during monsoon by using AC convective heaters provided in the chamber of the dryer along with DC converter of AC for exhaust fans.

APPLICATIONS

The solar dryer in the capacity of 200 kg fresh food per batch is used for drying tomato slices, brinjal slices, potato wafers, green chilies, apricot pieces, mango slices, grapes, fish etc.

ADVANTAGES

• By use of this dryer, the drying process is made 1.5 times faster than normal sun drying procedure resulting in substantial weight reduction>
• It has no adverse effect on environment.
• Product is hygienic.

INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES

Small workshop with facility to cut angles, plates, drilling of holes etc.

MANPOWER 

Four skilled technicians.