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Solar Tunnel Fish Dryer for Seasonal Application in the Perspective of Bangladesh

M. A. Wazed
Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture, University of Malaya (UM), 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

M. T. Islam
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), 4349 Chittagong, Bangladesh

N. Uddin
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), 4349 Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Dry fish is one of the major export items of Bangladesh, the least developing country in South Asia. Most of the dry fish industries in the country are using direct sunlight for drying the fishes. The main objectives of this research are: i) to design and fabricate a model-type solar tunnel dryer like a solar air heater; ii) to analyze the effectiveness of the dryer; and iii) finally a comparison is performed with the traditional method of sun drying. The authors have constructed a simple solar tunnel using locally available low-cost materials. The collector surface temperature, duct temperature and ambient temperature, as well as relative humidity with definite time intervals, are measured. The maximum obtained surface and duct temperatures are 52-53⁰C and 37-38⁰C, respectively. The use of a solar tunnel dryer leads to a considerable reduction of drying time in comparison to drying in direct sunlight. The fishes dried in the solar tunnel dryer are completely protected from rain, insects and dust. The quality of the dried fish in the tunnel dryer is better than the sun-dried products.

Keywords: Solar dryer, Drying fish, Bangladesh

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Fish

Objectives:

This fish is highly contaminated and creates a broad spectrum of environmental and health hazards. Therefore, proper drying of fish is essential to save this valuable source of protein by reducing spoilage.

Methodology:

Important parameters affecting the performance of the dryer are measured. A Mercury thermometer (0⁰C to 100⁰C) is used to measure the air temperature along the flow direction inside the dryer. The relative humidity of air is measured by using a Psychrometer (0⁰C to 50⁰C). Anemometer (speed range from 0.3m/s to 40m/s) is employed to measure the velocity of air at the outlet of the dryer. Weight loss of the fishes being dried is noted at a suitable interval with an electronic balance. The sun-dried control samples are weighted as well. All these data are recorded at one-hour intervals. The moisture contents are measured at the end of each run of experiments by air oven (model No.-979, China) method. Maximum air velocity is 0.5 m/s; temperature is not exceeding 52ºC and Moisture is within the range of 7 to 15% at least. Experimental drying runs were conducted on silver Jew (Powa) fish. The fish was treated with salt and it was initially treated with dry salt (salt to the fish ratio of 1:4) and stacked for about 16 hours before drying. This salt penetrates into the flesh and denatures the enzymes and destroys a major portion of the bacteria originally present on the flesh because of their sensitivity to salt. The inclusions inside the fishes were removed before salt treatment. A thick stick is inserted all through the fishes and then washed well. The drying was started usually at 9.0 am and discontinued at 4.0 pm for each day. To compare the performance of the tunnel drier with that of the sun drying, control samples of fish were placed on trays in a raised platform beside the drier. Both experimental and control samples were dried simultaneously under the same condition vertical and horizontal.

Source of Information: Engineering e-Transaction (ISSN 1823-6379)Vol. 4, No. 2, December 2009, pp 73-80Online at http://ejum.fsktm.um.edu.my

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

After the design and fabrication of the solar tunnel dryer, its operations have been observed. Production of dried fishes is assured. From the experimental results, the following conclusion can be drawn: 1. The use of solar tunnel fish drier leads to a considerable reduction of the drying time than conventional sun drying.2.In all the cases fishes dried in the solar tunnel dryer were completely protected from rain, insects and dust. The dried fishes were a high-quality product. 3.This dryer is simple in construction and it can be constructed using locally available materials by the local craftsman. The solar tunnel dryer can be operated by a photovoltaic module independent of the electrical grid. The photovoltaic system has the advantage that the temperature of the drying air is automatically controlled by solar radiation. The photovoltaic-driven solar tunnel drier must be optimized for efficient operation.

Knowledge Management: Journal