Indirect Solar Drier with Electric Back up System for Quality Hill Products

Rajeev Kumar Aggarwal, Madan Mohan Sharma, Ashwani Kumar Sharma
DOI: 10.4236/nr.2010.12009                

Abstract

An indirect solar drier of 25 kg capacity has been developed fitted with solar cell for running the fan. The bulbs are provided in the solar collector for air heating during clouds and evening & morning for faster drying reducing drying time. Various hill crops (Punica granatum L, Ginger, Turmeric and Red chili) have been dried in open sun, oven and solar drier for quality/caparison. The dried products were tested in the post harvest technology laboratory for value addition. The market value of dried products has also been compared.

Keywords

Solar Drier, Drying, Hill Crops, Quality, Income Generation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	A. Rajeev, “Design, fabrication, installation and field evaluation of 1000kg capacity solar drier for chilgoza seed extraction,” RERIC International Energy Journal, Vol. 20, No. 2, 1998, pp. 67-76.
[2]	C. B. Joshi, M. B. Gewali and R. C. Bhandari, “Performance of solar drying systems: A case study of Nepal,” IE(I) journal, Vol. 85, No. 2, 2004, pp. 53-57.
[3]	E. Azad, “Design and experimental study of solar agricultural dryer for rural area,” Livestock Research for Rural Development, Vol. 20, No. 9, 2008.
[4]	A. Sreekumar, P. E. Manikantan and K. P. Vijayakumar, “Performance of indirect solar cabinet dryer,” Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 49, No. 6, June 2008, pp. 1388-1395.
[5]	A. Rajeev, “Design, Fabrication, Installation and Field Evaluation of 1000 kg Capacity Solar Drier for Chilgoza Seed Extraction,” RERIC International Energy Journal, Vol. 20, No. 2, 1998, pp. 67-76.
[6]	C. B. Joshi, M. B. Gewali and R. C. Bhandari, “Performance of Solar Drying Systems: A Case Study of Nepal,” IE(I) Journal, Vol. 85, No. 2, 2004, pp. 53-57.
[7]	E. Azad, “Design and Experimental Study of Solar Agricultural Dryer for Rural Area,” Livestock Research for Rural Development, Vol. 20, No. 9, 2008.
[8]	A. Sreekumar, P. E. Manikantan and K. P. Vijayakumar, “Performance of Indirect Solar Cabinet Dryer,” Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 49, No. 6, June 2008, pp. 1388-1395.