Experimentation for thermal parameters to check the performance of Solar Dryer for Onion (Allium cepa) in Vidarbha Region

Experimentation for thermal parameters to check the performance of Solar Dryer for Onion (Allium cepa) in Vidarbha Region

1Saurabh S. Bhange, 2Sanjay S. Deshmukh,

1,2Department of Mechanical Engineering, PRMIT&R, Amravati

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Abstract - The solar drying system utilizes solar energy to heat up air and to dry any food substance loaded, which is beneficial in reducing wastage of agricultural product and helps in preservation of agricultural product. Based on the limitations of the natural sun drying e.g. exposure to direct sunlight, liability to pests and rodents lack of proper monitoring, and the escalated cost of the mechanical dryer, a solar is therefore developed to cater for this limitation. This project presents the development and performance of a natural convection solar dryer for Allium species crop preservation. In the dryer, the heated air passes through a separate solar collector which consists of absorber plate and transparent cover to the drying chamber. Inside the drying chamber food commodities are kept to be dried.

The results obtained during the test period revealed that the temperatures inside the dryer and solar collector were much higher than the ambient temperature during most hours of the day-light. The temperature rise inside the drying cabinet was up to 65% for about three hours immediately after 12.00h (noon). The dryer exhibited sufficient ability to dry food items reasonably rapidly to a safe moisture level and simultaneously it ensures a superior quality of the dried product.

Key Words:  Solar Energy, Allium Species, Natural Convection Solar Dryer, Solar collector