Solar based facilities for Farmers ( Solar Dryer )

 Solar  based facilities for Farmers ( Solar Dryer )

Solar Dryer :

Solar dryers are increasingly being used in agriculture to dry crops, fruits, and vegetables. Solar dryers use the sun's energy to heat the air, which is then circulated over the crops to remove moisture. Here are some of the benefits of using solar dryers in Agriculture:

1. Cost-Effective: Solar dryers are relatively inexpensive to build and operate, making them a cost-effective alternative to traditional drying methods. Farmers can save money by using solar dryers instead of expensive fuel-powered drying systems.

2. Efficient: Solar dryers can dry crops quickly and efficiently, which reduces the risk of spoilage and waste. The use of solar dryers also eliminates the need for manual labor, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

3. Environmentally Friendly: Solar dryers do not emit any harmful pollutants, making them an eco-friendly alternative to traditional drying methods. They also reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, which helps to mitigate climate change

4. Improved Quality: Solar drying preserves the nutritional value of crops, fruits, and vegetables, while also maintaining their color, texture, and flavor. This improves the overall quality of the produce, making it more attractive to buyers.

5. Increased Marketability: Dried produce has a longer shelf life, which increases its marketability. Farmers can store and transport dried produce without the risk of spoilage, which can result in higher profits.

6. Overall, the use of solar dryers in agriculture offers numerous benefits, including increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved environmental sustainability.

Solar dryers are devices that use solar energy to dry substances, especially food. Solar dryers use the heat from sun to remove the moisture content of food substances. There are two general types of solar dryers: Direct and indirect.

Direct

Direct solar dryers expose the substance to be dehydrated to direct sunlight. Historically, food and clothing was dried in the sun by using lines, or laying the items on rocks or on top of tents.In Mongolia cheese and meat are still traditionally dried using the top of the ger (tent) as a solar dryer. In these systems the solar drying is assisted by the movement of the air (wind) that removes the more saturated air away from the items being dried.^[2] More recently, complex drying racks and solar tents were constructed as solar dryers.

One modern type of solar dryer has a black absorbing surface which collects the light and converts it to heat; the substance to be dried is placed directly on this surface. These driers may have enclosures, glass covers and/or vents in order to increase efficiency.

Indirect:

In indirect solar dryers, the black surface heats incoming air rather than directly heating the substance to be dried. This heated air is then passed over the substance to be dried and exits upwards often through a chimney, taking moisture released from the substance with it. They can be very simple, just a tilted cold frame with black cloth to an insulated brick building with active ventilation and a back-up heating system.^[8] One of the advantages of the indirect system is that it is easier to protect the food, or other substance, from contamination whether wind-blown or by birds, insects, or animals. Also, direct sun can chemically alter some foods making them less appetizing.

Solar drying is mostly carried out between 50-70 degree Celsius. Solar dryers such as Vyom and many other models now use polycarbonate sheets or UV preventive glass so that UV rays of the sun do not penetrate the food which leads to degradation of dried food. Solar dryers not only make the drying faster, it also prevents dust, pathogens, bird droppings, and interference of external agents that affect the quality of the food. Food items such as fruits, vegetables, spices and other items once dried in solar can be stored for longer period of time.

Direct Solar Dryer

Indirect Solar Dryer