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. 2023 Feb 28;9(3):e14144.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14144. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Development of a hybrid mixed-mode solar dryer for product drying

Arslan Afzal  1 , Tahir Iqbal  1 , Kamran Ikram  2 , Muhammad Naveed Anjum  1 , Muhammad Umair  1 , Muhammad Azam  1 , Sajeela Akram  3 , Fiaz Hussain  1 , Muhammad Ameen Ul Zaman  1 , Abid Ali  1 , Faizan Majeed  4   5
Affiliations

Development of a hybrid mixed-mode solar dryer for product drying

Arslan Afzal et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

Sun drying in the open air is quite popular worldwide. However, the use of solar dryers to preserve various perishable agricultural products is a relatively new area of study, and the long-term effects of this method are not yet fully understood. The slow drying process in direct sunlight can contaminate the dried materials by soil and insects. To overcome these challenges, we devised a sun drying system that included a heating part, a drying area, a portable stand, fans, and a 50-W photovoltaic panel. An alternate energy source was used to power the drying process during cloudy days and at night. Fresh Freestone peach, Golden apple, and Anaheim chilies weighing 10 kg each with the initial moisture content of 89%, 87%, and 75% on a wet basis (w.b), respectively, were used in the experiments. The final moisture content of the samples was reduced by an average of 16%, 15%, and 11% for Freestone peaches, Golden apples, and Anaheim chilies, respectively. The quality analysis was carried out to determine sample composition, total bacteria, and color of dried products. The results indicated that the dried products met the recommended quality standards for food products in terms of composition, total bacteria, and color. This research supports the use of a hybrid mixed-mode solar dryer for drying a wide range of perishable agricultural products.

Keywords: Apple (Golden); Chili (Anaheim); Economic analysis; Hybrid mixed-mode; Peach (Freestone); Quality analysis; Solar dryer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Fabricated hybrid mixed-mode solar dryer. 1- Drying section 2- Battery 3- PV module 4- DC fans 5- drying trays 6- Dryer stand 7- Heating Section.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Performance of solar dryer on June 06, 2020, 30 readings averaged (during peak hours).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Solar radiation intensity, dryer inner, and ambient temperature (on July 09, 2020, 30 readings averaged).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Loading apple slices in dryer trays.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Results of zero load test results of the dryer.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Dryer performance with one working fan.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Dryer performance with two working fan.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Dryer performance with three working fan.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Comparison of drying rates for different fan working conditions.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Effect of thermal energy on change in moisture content using the hybrid mixed mode solar dryer.
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Break even analysis (1 day = 16 h).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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