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Prospect & Future of Solar Dryer: Perspective Bangladesh

A.S.M. Mohsin
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51 Siddeswari Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Md. Nasimul Islam Maruf
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51 Siddeswari Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh

A.H.M. Sayem
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51 Siddeswari Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Md. Rejwanur Rashid Mojumdar
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51 Siddeswari Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Hossain Mahmud Shamim Farhad
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51 Siddeswari Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Energy is one of the main concerns for the growing future of any nation. Energy is by far the largest merchandise in the world and an enormous amount of energy is extracted, distributed, converted and consumed in our global society daily. The per capita energy consumption of Bangladesh is one of the lowest amongst the sub continent. Despite only 32% population has access to the National grid, The Government of Bangladesh a noble vision to provide electricity for all by the year 2020.Target of meeting 5% of total electricity demand from RE by 2010 and 10% by the year 2020 .In crisis conditions energy usage should be appropriate and meticulous. Our technology for energy harvest, conversion and efficient application is still lacking behind with that of developed world. We should give emphasis for the development of indigenous technology. Bangladesh is situated between 20.30 and 26.38 degrees north latitude and 88.04 and 92.44 degrees east longitude, which is an ideal location for solar energy utilization. Daily solar radiation varies between 4 and 6.5 kWh/m².In this regard, solar dryer for domestic as well industrial usage could be an effective alternative of saving conventional energy. Utilization of solar thermal energy through solar dryer is relatively in a nascent state in our country. The objective of this paper is the design & performance analysis of different types of solar dryer & its prospect in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Natural Convection Solar Dryer, Forced Convection Solar Dryer, Solar dryer Design & Performance analysis, Solar panel performance improvement, Potential & Limitation.

Location: Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Drier

Objectives:

The objective of this paper is the design & performance analysis of different types of solar dryer & its prospect in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The major two categories of the dryers are natural convection solar dryers and forced convection solar dryers. In the natural convection solar dryers the airflow is established by buoyancy induced airflow while in forced convection solar dryers the airflow is provided by using fan operated either by electricity/solar module or fossil fuel. Now the solar dryer designed and developed for and used in tropics and subtropics are discussed under two headings. A. Natural Convection Solar Drying Natural convection solar drying has advantages over forced convection solar drying is that it requires lower investment though it is difficult to control drying temperature and the drying rate may be limited. Due to low cost and simple operation and maintenance, natural convection solar drier appears to be the obvious option and popular choice for drying of agricultural products. It is the oldest type of solar dryer and consists of a solar collector with a transparent cover on the top and a drying unit with an opaque cover on the top. These are connected in series .Natural convection solar dryers do not require power from the electrical grid or fossil fuels. Hence the obvious option for drying would be the natural convection solar dryers. Several designs are available and these are (i) cabinet type solar drier suitable for drying fruits and vegetables, (ii) indirect natural convection solar drier for paddy drying and mixed mode AIT drier for drying paddy(Excell, 1978). These dryers have been widely tested in the tropical and subtropical countries. Cabinet type solar dryer Cabinet type solar drier suitable for drying fruits and vegetables (Sharma et.al, 1995).Direct-solar cabinet-type driers are used to dry small quantities of food or vegetables, and provide moderate drying temperatures (37-58°C) and airflow rates. Both the 1 m² and 2 m² model dryers have been tested for fish and banana drying. The 1 m² model can dry about 15- 20 kg of fresh fish over a period of two or three days while the 2 m² model can dry double this quantity. The dryer consists of four main parts: a base frame, drying chamber, drying trays, and loading door. The rectangular base frame has six supporting legs on which rest a drying chamber. A solar collector, supported by another three legs, is attached to the drying chamber. The drying chamber of the 1 m² model measures 1 m length x 1 m width x 0.75 m height, and contains 4 trays of 1m x 0.495 m to provide a total drying area of 2 m². The drying chamber of the 2 m² model measures 1 m length x 2 m width x 0.75 m height, and contains 8 trays of 1m x 0.495 m to provide a total drying area of 4 m².The base frame is built with softwood. Within the frame, a mat made from papyrus is laid and covered over with black plastic sheet to form the base of the drying chamber. Along the back of the frame, a ventilation slot is made to form the air inlet vent to let the air enter the collector and the chamber. The roof of the collector is parallel to the roof of the chamber. The vent is covered plastic mosquito mesh to keep out insects. The dryer has a solar collector attached at the other side of the drying chamber. The solar collector heats the ambient air, which then passes through the products to be dried (loaded on trays) by natural convection.

Source of Information: IACSIT International Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol.3, No.2, April 2011

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In all the cases the use of solar dryer leads to considerable reduction of drying time in comparison to sun drying and the quality of the product dried in the solar drier was of quality dried products as compared to sun dried products and they are appropriate for production of quality dried fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs and medicinal plants, and fish. Solar dryers are simple in construction and can be constructed using locally available materials by the local craftsman. They may vary in construction depending upon their loading capacity. The solar drier can be operated by a photovoltaic module independent of electrical grid. The photovoltaic driven solar driers must be optimized for efficient operation.

Knowledge Management: Journal