Solar Dryer: Agriculture and Food Drying Systems

Solar dryers are special structures that enhance the drying power of the sun and protect the agricultural product from dust, dirt, and insects. Table below shows a block diagram of an active solar drying system, consisting of solar air collectors, a drying unit or chamber, and an air handling unit. An active solar drying system can accommodate the use of a backup heat source when there in not enough solar heat available. (more…)

Solar Drying: Process, Definition and Background

Drying is one of the most important post harvest steps. It enhances the storage life of the crop products, minimizes losses during storage, and saves shipping costs. The drying process is the removal of water from the wet surface of the food. In this process, heat is transferred by convection and radiation to the surface of the produce. This heat raises the temperatures heat and evaporates the moisture from the exterior of the agricultural products, diffusing the interior moisture to the surface and replenishing the evaporated surface moisture. (more…)