Solar dryer for drying fruits and vegetables of arid zone

Abstract

There are no one simple criteria for selecting an appropriate solar dryer for a specific region in the world or a specific product to be dried. The classification of solar drying systems illustrates that the solar dryer designs can be grouped systematically according to drying air circulation to natural and forced convection dryers; according to operational modes to direct, indirect, and mixed-mode dryers; and by their heating sources. The most typical solar dryers for agriculture produce based on their construction designs were summarized and evaluated. The final selection of solar drying systems is generally based on the available insolation rate, kind of product that will be dried, production throughput, operational costs, as well as the experience of the fabricator. The use of solar dryers at remote locations/rural areas can go a long way in reducing post-harvest losses as well as carbon emission by supplementing/replacing conventional energy sources. The availability of clean and green energy source in rural areas would enable farmers to accrue higher monetary benefits through processing and agro-based industries to improve the livelihood of farmers and enhancing their standard of living.