NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MAJOR PROJECT REPORT - PART 1

(7TH SEMESTER END EVALUATION)

DESIGN OF LOW COST SOLAR DRYER FOR

FISH DRYING

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF:

Dr. T.P. ASHOK BABU
SUBMITTED BY:
ASHWATHI SHENOI (08M106)
HARSHA GOPARAJU (08M117)
SHARATH N YALE (08M141)
SURESH NEHRA (08M151)
VIJAY KUMAR (08M160)

SUBMITTED ON:
17th November 2011

Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................ 1
OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................ 2
CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE SURVEY ............................................................................................ 5
PATENTS REVIEWED ............................................................................................................... 5
DATA SURVEY AND COLLECTION............................................................................................ 8
Solar Irradiance data........................................................................................................... 8
Food related data ............................................................................................................... 9
PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS COMMONLY CONSIDERED FOR EVALUATION .................... 10
CONCLUSIONS: ..................................................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER 03: SOLAR DRYER - WORKING PRINCIPLES .............................................................. 12
CHAPTER 04: SOLAR FLAT PLATE COLLECTOR ......................................................................... 15
Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 15
Absorber Plate .................................................................................................................. 15
Cover Sheets ..................................................................................................................... 17
Collector Performance...................................................................................................... 18
HEAT ENERGY BALANCE ....................................................................................................... 19
CHAPTER 05: SOLAR DRYER DESIGN ........................................................................................ 22
Design Procedure.............................................................................................................. 22
Equations used for design of dryer................................................................................... 22
MATLAB PROGRAM ................................................................................................................. 25
APPENDIX A: MATLAB Program Results Optimum Result .................................................... 26
APPENDIX B: Calculation of Collector area for above conditions ............................................ 27
APPENDIX C: Materials List ...................................................................................................... 28
APPENDIX D: PROJECT TIME-LINE ............................................................................................ 29
REFERENCES: ............................................................................................................................ 30

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like express our sincere gratitude to Dr. T.P. Ashok Babu whose
valuable guidance greatly assisted us in our task.

OBJECTIVES
The aim of the project is to design, build and test the working of a low cost solar dryer
(mixed type) for use in fish drying along the coasts of Mangalore.
The objectives are as follows:
To study the various physical and thermal parameters that influences the performance of
the solar dryer.
Write a program that will help us perform number of iterations to see how changing various
parameters affect the dryer efficiency and collector area required.

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION

Open air sun drying is still the most common method used to preserve agricultural crop and
sea food. The marine fish production potential of Karnataka is estimated at around 4.25 lakh
M.T. per annum. In Karnataka, mackerals, sardines, anchovics and other elupeids form the
dominent pelagic fishing while catfishes, Sciaenids, Perches, sharks and rays etc. constitute
the deep sea fishing. Soles, and prawns form the major demersal fishery.

However, being a highly perishable food product, fish can be stored for long periods of time
only by proper refrigeration or drying. Since most of the fishermen living at the coastal
belt are below the poverty line therefore refrigeration is distinct dream to them. The
only alternative available is drying in the open air, in an uncontrolled and unhygienic
environment. To reduce the processing losses during the drying and to retain the quality
of dried product, it is necessary to dry the fish in the close chamber with preventing
product from dust, insect, larva, birds and animal.

The coastal region of Karnataka is blessed with ample sunlight all the year round. There is
tremendous potential for utilization of this solar energy. It is therefore expected that the
design of a simple and economical solar dryer could contribute greatly in solving the local
fishermen's problem.

Solar dryers may be classified according to the mode of air flow as natural convection and
forced convection dryers. Natural convection dryers do not require a fan to blow the air
through the dryer. Solar drying may also be classified into direct, indirect and mixed-modes.
In direct solar dryers the air heater contains the materials and solar energy passes through a
transparent cover and is absorbed by the materials. Essentially, the heat required for drying
is provided by radiation to the upper layers and subsequent conduction into the material
bed. In indirect dryers, solar energy is collected in a separate solar collector (air heater) and
the heated air then passes through the material bed, while in the mixed-mode type of dryer,
the heated air from a separate solar collector is passed through a material bed and at the
same time, the drying cabinet or chamber absorbs solar energy directly through the
transparent walls or roof.

Hence we will be focusing our efforts on designing and fabricating a simple direct natural
convention dryer for Mangalore. The use of solar technology has often been suggested for

4
the dried fruit industry both to reduce energy costs and economically speed up drying,
which would be beneficial to final quality, dried grapes, okra, tomato and onion using solar
energy. They concluded that drying time reduced significantly resulting in a higher product
quality in terms of color and reconstitution properties. They also believe that as compared
to oil or gas heated dryers, solar drying facilities are economical for small holders, especially
under favorable meteorological conditions.

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE SURVEY

After extensive survey of literature and collection of papers we have seen that it would be
most economical to first develop a prototype of a simple cabinet chamber type of solar
dryer, as the more complex designs would increase the cost quite considerably. Once we
have accomplished the successful working of a basic design prototype, we would like to look
at modifications to the design, which can improve performance and reduce costs further.

PATENTS REVIEWED
The following paragraphs describe in brief the various patents that were surveyed,
pertaining to drying technology, solar dryers and food preservation.

PATENT TITLE:
Drying Method and Apparatus for Drying Prunes, Fish, Brewers Grain, Shelled Corn and the
like.
PATENT NUMBER:

US4326341
DESCRIPTION:
Developed a method and apparatus for drying moisture-containing material by use of a
vacuum tank. The tank is partially filled with cold liquid, such as water, and the material to
be dried is supported in the tank above the liquid surface. Surface condensing means are
located inside the tank. Air is first evacuated from the chamber by first filling the tank
completely with liquid. Then by means of a pumping mechanism, the liquid and the
condensate are removed from the chamber, due to drop in pressure the moisture from the
material is also evaporated and condensed on the provided means.

PATENT TITLE:
Convection Powered Solar Food Dryer
PATENT NUMBER:

US4501074
DESCRIPTION:
Developed a solar powered food dryer that may be used indoors. Convection column is used
to produce a draft of air. By means of this draft, air is drawn from a solar collector through a
food drying chamber in such a way that the hot air from the collector is drawn over the food
in the drying chamber and hot air ducting of the air stream provides a means of remotely
locating the drying chamber to a sanitary and convenient place while leaving both the air
heater and the draft generating convection column in a place exposed to solar radiation.

PATENT TITLE:
Process of Dehydrating Biological Products
PATENT NUMBER:

US6068874
DESCRIPTION:
Makes use of a closed system for dehydration using a heat exchanger and dehydration
chamber connected by appropriate conduits. Provision of blowers as controls for the system
parameters of the process. Advantages of the design include, retention of aroma and
natural flavor of the original food, and ease of transportation unlike refrigerated foods etc.
Main disadvantage is the high cost of equipment and uneconomical for small/individual
scale of drying.

7
PATENT TITLE:
Vegetable Product Drying
PATENT NUMBER:

US6922908
DESCRIPTION:
Utilizes a thermal collector that is constructed and arranged to convert solar energy to heat
energy, a heat transfer system and a housing that defines a drying chamber. The thermal
collector is positioned toward a light source and is thermally connected to the heat transfer
system, which in turn is in communication with the drying chamber. Convection forces are
used to move air inside the chamber and photovoltaic energy is also used to enhance the
effect.

PATENT TITLE:
Wood Drying Solar Greenhouse
PATENT NUMBER:

US7748137
DESCRIPTION:
Constructed a solar greenhouse, with one wall or panel that is transparent to solar
radiation, where as the other walls are made highly resistant to convective and conductive
heat transfer. A simple control system is used in order to maintain the interior temperature
and humidity of the greenhouse within pre-determined ranges in order to enhance and
improve the drying process. This also provides opportunity for controlled drying of the
material, thanks to the humidity regulator.

In addition to surveying existing patents in this technology, we also surveyed similar projects
and research work that has been undertaken in the field of solar dryer design.

DATA SURVEY AND COLLECTION

To perform the calculations above, the following datai were collected:
Solar Irradiance data
Month

Solar Irradiance
on a horizontal
surface
(kw/m^2/day)

(At optimum 77
tilt of collector)
(kwh/m^2/day)

Average
Temperature C

Relative
Humidity %

6.87

Collector
adjusted
throughout the
year
(kw/m^2/day)
0

January

5.65

26

62

February

6.33

7.1

7.11

27

66

March
April

6.81
6.84

6.92
6.27

6.92
6.84

28
29

68
71

May

5.85

5.7

5.9

29

71

June

4.37

4.3

4.42

27

87

July

4.25

4.15

4.28

26

89

August

4.87

4.62

4.88

26

88

September

5.44

5.29

5.29

26

85

October

5.19

5.57

5.52

27

79

November

5.27

6.09

27

73

December

5.44

6.76

6.97

27

65

9
Global Solar Irradiance = 1813 kwh/m^2/year
Diffuse solar Irradiance = 860 kwh/m^2/year
Average ambient temperature = 27.1 C
Average relative humidity = 75%
Average Wind speed = 2 m/s

Food related data

The design of the solar dryer is directly dependent on the nature of the food substances to
be dried and the extent to which the drying process should be carried out. For this reason,
data regarding the water content of the fishes suitable for drying found in the region have
been tabulated.
Fish drying:
The water content of freshly caught fish differs from one species to the other. The table
below shows the water content for different fish species that are commonly dried in the
Mangalore region.

Fish species

Water content before drying (%)w/w

Mori- Rahu Hybrid

Labeo rohita
Cyprinus carpio
Thalla Rahu Hybrid
Cirrhinus Mrigala
H Molitrix
Catla Catla
S.Sihama

69.265
72.810
65.605
69.250
69.500
72.680
68.840
77.800

Water content after drying is nearly same for all species and is classified into three types.
1. Ordinary cure has water content 44-48%.(most common)
2. Semi-dry product has water content 40-44%.
3. Dry Product has water content 38-40%.

10

PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS COMMONLY CONSIDERED FOR EVALUATION

The table below shows the most common parameters of the dryer that were considered for
performance evaluation in the different papers that were surveyedii:

11

CONCLUSIONS:

Some of the modifications to existing designs that could enhance the performance of a
simple dryer are listed below:

Use of locally grown material for construction of drying chamber so that it provides
natural insulation against heat losses by convection and conduction and at the same
time reduces costs of material.

Use of mosquito nets as trays for better performance in humid regions, by exposing
greater surface area of the food to the dry air.

To make the design more ergonomic, the dryer can be built onto a mobile platform for
ease of transport.

Implement a method to ensure that losses from the edges of the door to the drying
chamber are reduced to a bare minimum.

Provision for rotation of trays by 180 degrees daily to ensure uniform drying.

12

CHAPTER 03: SOLAR DRYER - WORKING PRINCIPLES

BASIC CONCEPT:

We propose to design and construct a mixed type solar dryer. A simple sketch is shown
above to give a conceptual understanding of the process.

Due to the temperature and pressure difference a natural convection current is set up
as indicated by the arrows in red, so that air enters the flat plate solar collector at the
bottom vent.
As it passes through the collector, the air gets heated up to 60 o- 100o C depending on the
collector specification.
This heated air then exits the top vent which is connected to the drying chamber, which
in itself is built to function as a mini-greenhouse.
The hot air absorbs the moisture from the food and flows out, thus setting up a natural
convection current.

13
For improving the wind draught by natural convection, a chimney is built above the drying
cabinet, so that the air that exits the collector enters the bottom of the chimney and is
forced upwards due to the pressure difference between the top and bottom of the chimney.
The schematic diagram of this set up and a simple block diagram representing general air
flow:

PREPARE FISH:
REMOVE GILLS
AND WASH

SOAK IN SALT
WATER SOLUTION

REMOVE AFTER
PRESCRIBED
DRYING TIME

REMOVE AND COAT

WITH COARSE SALT

PLACE IN A THIN
LAYER ON THE
TRAYS IN DRYER

The figure below shows how the air flows when a chimney has been constructed atop the
drying chamber:

Air Out

Chimney

Trays for
food

Collector

Air In

14
The main factors that influence the drying rate are Temperature, Relative Humidity and Air
Flow rateiii.
High temperature, High air flow rate and Low humidity are desired for increasing the drying
rate. However since increased air flow rate tends to decrease temperature, are objective is
to optimize the collector efficiency and area in order to achieve as high drying rate as
possible.

15

CHAPTER 04: SOLAR FLAT PLATE COLLECTOR

Introduction - A flat plate collector is one of three main types of solar collectors, which are
key components of active solar heating systems. The other main types are evacuated tube
collectors and batch solar heaters. Flat plate collector consist of dark flat plate absorber of
solar energy, a transparent cover that allows solar energy to pass through but reduces heat
losses, a heat transport fluid to remove heat from absorber, and a heat insulating backing.
The absorber consists of a thin absorber sheet often backed by a grid or coil of fluid tubing
placed in an insulated casing with a glass or polycarbonate cover.

The construction of a flat-plate collector is shown in Figure. The basic parts noted are a fullaperture absorber, transparent or translucent cover sheets, and an insulated box. The
absorber is usually a sheet of high-thermal-conductivity metal with tubes or ducts either
integral or attached. Its surface is painted or coated to maximize radiant energy absorption
and in some cases to minimize radiant emission. The cover sheets, called glazing, let
sunlight pass through to the absorber but insulate the space above the absorber to prohibit
cool air from flowing into this space. The insulated box provides structure and sealing and
reduces heat loss from the back or sides of the collector.

Absorber Plate
The main element of a flat-plate collector is the absorber plate. It covers the full aperture
area of the collector and must perform three functions: absorb the maximum possible
amount of solar irradiance, conduct this heat into the working fluid at a minimum
temperature difference, and lose a minimum amount of heat back to the surroundings.

16
Absorption Solar irradiance passing through the glazing is absorbed directly on the
absorber plate without intermediate reflection as in concentrating collectors. Surface
coatings that have a high absorptance for short-wavelength (visible) light, are used on the
absorber. Usually these coatings appear dull or "flat," indicating that they will absorb
radiation coming from all directions equally well. Either paint or plating is used, and the
resulting black surface will typically absorb over 95 percent of the incident solar radiation.
Fin Heat Removal The second function of the absorber plate is to transfer the absorbed
energy into a heat-transfer fluid at a minimum temperature difference. This is normally
done by conducting the absorbed heat to tubes or ducts that contain the heat-transfer fluid.
The heat-transfer fluid may either be a liquid (water or water with antifreeze) or gas (air).
The important design criterion here is to provide sufficient heat transfer capability that the
difference between the temperature of the absorber surface and the working fluid is not
excessive; otherwise, the heat loss from the absorber would be excessive. High heattransfer rates are usually accomplished at the expense of pumping power and absorber
plate material.
The following are important points in designing a good tube and sheet absorber:
1. The fin (absorber sheet) must he made of a material with high thermal conductivity.
2. The fin should be thick to minimize the temperature difference required to transfer
heat to its base (tube).
3. Tubes should not be spaced too far apart; otherwise, a higher temperature
difference between the tip of the fin (midway between the tubes) and the base will
result.
4. Tubes should be thin-walled and of a high-thermal -conductivity material.
5. The tube should be brazed or welded to the absorber sheet to minimize thermal
contact resistance.
6. The tube and absorber sheet should be of similar material to prevent galvanic
corrosion between them.
When air is the heat-transfer fluid, often the back side of the absorber plate usually forms
one surface of a duct and heat is transferred through the absorber sheet to the air over the
entire back surface of the absorber. A thin, rather than thick, absorber sheet of highthermal-conductivity material will enhance this heat-transfer process. The internal air
passage must be designed to provide a sufficiently high airflow velocity past the back of the
absorber to give adequate heat transfer without producing a high pressure drop across the
collector. Low heat-transfer rates cause the absorber plate to become significantly hotter
than the heat-transfer fluid, which increases heat loss.
Emittance Because the temperature of the absorber surface is above ambient
temperature, the surface re-radiates some of the heat it has absorbed back to the
surroundings. This loss mechanism is a function of the emittance of the surface for lowtemperature, long-wavelength (infrared) radiation. The dilemma is that many coatings that
enhance the absorption of sunlight (short-wavelength radiation) also enhance the long
wavelength radiation loss from the surface. This is true for most dull black paints.

17
A class of coatings, mostly produced by metallic plating processes, will produce an absorber
surface that is a good absorber of short-wavelength solar irradiance but a poor emitter of
long-wavelength radiant energy. Flat-plate absorbers that have selective surfaces typically
lose less heat when operating at high temperature. However, the absorptance of selective
coatings is seldom as high as for non-selective coatings, and a trade-off must be made based
on whether the increased high-temperature performance overshadows the reduced lowtemperature performance and expense of the selective coating.
Cover Sheets
The absorber is usually covered with one or more transparent or translucent cover sheets to
reduce convective heat loss. In the absence of a cover sheet, heat is lost from the absorber
as a result of not only forced convection caused by local wind, but also natural convective
air currents created because the absorber is hotter than ambient air. The cover sheet forms
a trapped air space above the absorber, thereby reducing these losses. However, convective
loss is not completely eliminated because a convective current is set up between the
absorber and the cover sheet, transferring heat from the absorber to the cover sheet.
External convection then cools the cover sheet, producing a net heat loss from the absorber.
In addition, heat loss is reduced because of the thermal resistance of the added air space.
The number of cover sheets on commercial flat-plate collectors varies from none to three or
more. Collectors with no cover sheet have high efficiencies when operated at temperatures
very near ambient temperature. This is because incoming energy is not lost by absorption or
reflection by the cover sheet. When no cover sheet is used, however, a considerable
amount of the incident energy is lost during operation at temperatures much above
ambient or at low solar irradiance levels.
In regions of average mid-latitude temperatures and solar radiation, collectors with no
glazing are generally used for applications to 32C (90F), single-glazed collectors are used
for applications to 70C (158 F), and double-glazing is used in applications above 70C
(158F). Collector efficiency increases with increasing solar irradiance level but decreases
with increasing operating temperature. In regions of low average solar irradiance or
extremely low temperatures, therefore, double-glazed collectors are used in applications
where single-glazed collectors should be used normally and single-glazed collectors for
unglazed applications. Also, selective absorber surfaces become more worthwhile.

Materials Because of its superior resistance to the environment, glass is used as the outer
cover sheet on most commercial collectors. Usually the glass is tempered, with a low iron
content and 3.2-6.4 mm (0.12-0.25 in.) thick. The surface may be either smooth, making the
glass transparent, or with a surface pattern, making it translucent. Both types have a
transmittance of around 90 per cent.

18
Plastic cover sheets are sometimes used for the second cover sheet when two sheets are
required. Installation of the plastic sheet beneath the glass protects the plastic from the
environment. Glass also does not transmit UV radiation and thus protects the plastic, which
is usually sensitive to this portion of the solar spectrum. Rigid sheets of acrylic-or fiberglassreinforced polymers are in use, as are stretched films of polyvinyl fluoride. Some of these
plastic cover sheets have a transmittance approaching that of low iron glass. A major
drawback of this scheme is the potential for overheating the plastic sheet at collector
stagnation (no-flow) temperatures. Solar radiation is absorbed by absorbed by absorber
plate and transferred to the fluid that circulates through the collector in tubes.
Collector Performance
Orientation The orientation of a flat-plate collector is a concern in system design. The
designer must decide on both the collector azimuth and tilt angles or to install the collectors
horizontally.
Azimuth The most obvious azimuth for a fixed surface in the northern hemisphere is south
facing. This will give equal amounts of energy before and after noon and usually the
maximum daily total energy collected. There are a number of reasons why the system
designer may not select this azimuth. It may be simply that the building or land orientation
makes it desirable to rotate the azimuth axis to fit the installation conditions. Other
performance related factors can affect the collector field orientation.
Another factor causing the collectors not to be oriented toward the south is the presence of
a blockage (mountain or building) that shades morning or afternoon sunlight. In this case
the optimum orientation may call for rotation away from the blockage. Likewise, either
persistent morning or afternoon cloud cover may cause the designer to orient the field
azimuth for optimum energy collection.
Tilt The most logical tilt angle for the fixed flat-plate collector is to tilt the surface from
horizontal by an angle equal to the latitude angle. At this tilt, if the collector is facing south,
the sun will be normal to the collector at noon twice a year (at the equinoxes). Also, the
noontime sun will only vary above and below this position by a maximum angle of 23.5
degrees.
As with collector azimuth orientation, shadowing objects may be considered and the
collector tilted less because of blockage of solar irradiance when the altitude of the sun is
low. Another factor that may affect the tilt orientation is the climate. If the particular region
has considerable cloud cover during the winter, the collectors would be tilted to maximize
summer energy collection.
One final factor that could influence the approximate tilting of the collector is the systems
operating threshold. If the system needs a high value of solar irradiance to begin operation,
tilting the collectors closer to vertical may provide more energy to the system during startup. Note that a wide variation in tilt angle makes little difference in the irradiation received.
This implies that the collector tilt optimization is not critical and that even horizontal

19
surfaces may be an appropriate design choice if the cost of installation is considerably less
for this orientation.

HEAT ENERGY BALANCE

The model calculates the useful heat gain from the iterative solution of basic heat transfer
equations of top loss and equates the same with the convective heat transfer from the
absorber plate to the air using proper heat transfer correlations for the smooth duct air
heater. The back loss from the collector is calculated from the iterative solution of the heat
balance equation for the back surface, the edge loss is estimatediv.

Fig: Heat Balance on solar air heater

The heat balance on the air heater gives the distribution of incident solar radiation I into
useful heat gain Q and the heat loss QL. The useful heat gain or heat collection rate can be
expressed as
Q = AI () QL = AI () UL (Tp Ta)
(1)
Where A = area of absorber plate
= transmittance-absorptance product of the glass cover absorber plate
Combination
QL = Heat loss from the collector is sum of losses from top Qt, back Qb, and edge Qe of
the collector as shown above.

UL =
QL
(Tp Ta)

(2)

UL = Overall heat loss coefficient

TP = Mean absorber plate temperature
Ta = Ambient temperature

The collected heat is transferred to the air flowing through the air heater duct. Thus,

20
Q = mcp (To Ti) = GAcp (To Ti)
Where m = mass flow rate of the air
G = m/A mass flow rate per unit area of absorber plate area

(3)

So effective heat gain is

Q = hA (Tp Tm)
Tm = mean temperature of the air in heater duct
h = heat transfer coefficient

(4)

Heat transfer from absorber plate at a mean temperature Tp to the inner surface of the
glass at temperature Tgi takes place by radiation and convection. Hence,
Qtpg = A [ (Tp4 Tgi4) (1/p+1/g 1) 1 + hpg (Tp-Tgi)]

(5)

Where p and g are the emissivity of the absorber plate and the glass cover, respectively,
and hpg is the convection heat transfer coefficient.
The conduction heat transfer through the glass cover of thickness g is given by
Qtg =kgA (Tgi Tgo)
g

(6)

Where kg is the thermal conductivity of the glass and Tgo is temperature of the outer
surface of the glass.
From the outer surface of the glass cover, the heat is rejected by radiation to the sky at
temperature Ts and by convection to the ambient. Hence,
Qtgo = A * g (Tgo4 Ts4) + hw (Tgo- Ta)]

(7)

hw = wind heat transfer coefficient 5-10 W/m-k

Ts = Sky temperature same as ambient
In equilibrium we have

Qtpg = Qtg = Qtgo = Qt

Back and Edge Losses - The back loss from the collector is calculated from the following
equation
Qb = A (Tb Ta)
(8)
(/ki + 1/hw)
Where is the insulation thickness, ki is the thermal conductivity of the insulating material
and Tb is the temperature of the bottom surface of the collector duct, which has been
estimated from the iterative solution of the heat balance equation detailed below. Heat
transfer by radiation from the heated absorber plate to the duct bottom surface Qpb is
calculated from

21

Qpb= (Tp4-Tb4) (1/ pi+1/ b-1)-1

(9)

The heat is lost from bottom of the plate to surrounding that is Q ba which comes equal to
the Qpb.

Edge loss
Qe = .5Ae (Tp-Ta)

(10)

Knowing the useful heat gain the outlet air temperature is given by
To = Ti + Q/ (mcp)

Thermal Efficiency

= Q/IA

Where, I = incident solar radiation.

(11)

(12)

22

CHAPTER 05: SOLAR DRYER DESIGN

The following points were considered in the design of the direct natural convection solar
dryer system

The amount of moisture to be removed from a given quantity of food product.

The daily sunshine hours for the selection of the total drying time.

The quantity of air needed for drying.

Daily solar radiation to determine energy received by the dryer per day.

Wind speed for the calculation of air vent dimensions.

Design Procedure
The size of the dryer was determined as a function of the drying area needed per kilogram
load. The drying temperature was established as a function of the maximum limit of
temperature the food product might support. From the climatic data of Table 1 the mean
average day temperature is 27.1C and relative humidity is 75 %. From the psychometric
chart the humidity ratio is 0.017 kgwv/kgda. The optimal drying temperature of fish products
was found to be 46C and final moisture content of fish for storage is 16 % wet basis.
Equations used for design of dryerv
The amount of moisture to be removed from the product, mw [kg] was calculated using the
following equation:
mw = mp(Mi - Mf)/(100 Mf)

(1)

Where mp[kg] is the initial mass of product to be dried;

Mi [%] and Mf [%] wet basis are the initial moisture content and the final moisture
content, respectively.
Final relative humidity or equilibrium relative humidity, ERH [%], was calculated
using sorption isotherms equation
aw = 1 - exp[-exp(0.914+0.5639lnM)]
(2a)
M = Mf/(100 - Mf)
(2b)
ERH = 100aw

(3)

Where aw [-] is the water activity; M [kgw/kgs] dry basis.

The quantity of heat required to evaporate the water would be
Q = mwhfg

(4)

23
Where Q [kJ] is the amount of energy required for the drying process
hfg [kJ/kg wv] = the latent heat of evaporation. The amount needed is a function of
temperature and moisture content of the fish. The latent heat of vaporization was
calculated using equation
hfg = 4186(597 0.56tpr)

(5)

Where tpr [oC] is the product temperature.

Moreover, the total heat energy, E [kJ] required to evaporate water was calculated as
follows
E = a(hf - hi) d / 3600

(6)

Where [kg/s] = the mass flow rate of air;

hf [kJ/kgda] and hi [kJ/kgda] are the final and initial enthalpy of drying and ambient air,
respectively;
d [s] is the drying time.
The enthalpy, h [kJ/kgda] of moist air at temperature td [C] can be approximated as
h = 1.007td + *251.2131+1.5524td]

(7)

Average drying rate, dr [kg/s], was determined from the mass of moisture to be removed by
solar heat and drying time by the following equation
dr = mr/d

(8)

The mass of air needed for drying was calculated using equation
a = dr/(wf-wi)
Where wf and wi are final and initial humidity ratios.

(9)

From the total useful heat energy required to evaporate moisture and the net radiation
received by the tilted collector, the solar drying system collector area, Ac [m2], can be
calculated from the following equation
Ac = Q/Ihd

(10)

Where I [kJ/m2/s] is the total global radiation on the horizontal surface during the drying
period *%+ is the collector efficiency and range from 30 to 50 %.

24

(11)
2

The air vent area, Av [m ] can be calculated by

(12)
Ws speed of wind (m/s)
The length of air vent, Lv [m], will be equal to the length of the dryer. The width of the air
vent, Bv [m], can be given by
Bv = Av/Lv
(13)

25

MATLAB PROGRAM

After preliminary manual calculations, an iterative MATLAB program was written in order to determine the
following. The algorithm used is shown above.

Final temperature of air exiting flat plate collector

Heat energy needed to remove the desired amount of moisture from fish
Collector area required for the given load

26

APPENDIX A: MATLAB Program Results Optimum Result

Area = 2*4.3 = 8.6 m2
Temperature Out = 324 K
Mean Air Temperature = 312 K
Efficiency = 36%
Heat Absorbed = 2477 W

27

APPENDIX B: Calculation of Collector area for above

conditions
Optimal drying temperature for fish = 46oC
Mean Average day temperature = 27.1oC
Relative Humidity = 75%
Average water content of fish before drying = 70% (w/w)
Average water content of fish after drying = 16% (w/w)
From literature average drying time td = 20 hrs in two days
For preliminary calculations assume collector efficiency = 36%
The amount of moisture to be removed from the product, mw [kg] was calculated using
the following equation:
Mw = mp (Mi - Mf)/(100 Mf)
= 15kg
Initial relative humidity = 75%
To calculate Final relative humidity:
Water evaporated (dry basis) M = Mf/(100 - Mf) = 16/84 = 0.19
Water activity aw = 1 - exp[ -exp(0.914+0.5639lnM)] = 0.624
Equilibrium Relative Humidity ERH = 100aw = 62.4%
Latent heat of vaporization at given temperature of product = hfg = 4186(597 0.56tpr)
= 2.39MJ
Hence quantity of heat needed to evaporate the water =
Q = mwhfg = 15 * 2.39 = 35.6 MJ
Collector area is given as
= 7.6 m2

Ac = Q/Ihd

28

APPENDIX C: Materials List

The proposed materials to be used to construct the basic structure of the dryer are:
Wood
Cement
Metal
Mortar

Proposed material options that are under consideration for absorber plate are (however for
prototype the easiest and cheapest in the market will be selected):
Aluminium
Galvanized Iron or Steel
Corrugated Metal Sheets

Proposed material for use as insulation:

Glass wool
Plywood
Thermo Cole

Proposed glazing material:

Glass

Proposed material for construction of chimney:

PVC pipes
Cement/Mud

Proposed material for use as trays in the dryer to hold the food:
Mosquito nets

29

APPENDIX D: PROJECT TIME-LINE

August 2011 Literature Review
September 2011 1st to15th Data Gathering
September 15th to 30th Preliminary design
October to November Program and analysis
January 2012 Acquiring of materials
February 2012 Construction
March 2012 Analysis and Further development

30

REFERENCES:
1.

Patents mentioned in the literature survey

2. Performance Study of Solar Air Heater Having Absorber Plate with Half-Perforated
Bafes by B. K.Maheshwari, Rajendra Karwa, and S. K. Gharai
3. Design and Fabrication of a Direct Natural Convection Solar Dryer for Tapioca by
Diemuodeke E. OGHENERUONA Momoh O.L. YUSUF
4. Design and Construction of A Solar Dryer for Mango Slices by EL- Amin Omda
Mohamed Akoy , Mohamed Ayoub Ismail , El-Fadil Adam Ahmed, W. Luecke
5. Design and Fabrication of a Convective Fish Dryer. By C.A. Komolafe, I.O.
Ogunleye, A.O.D. Adejumo
6. Performance Evaluation Of A Solar Tunnel Dryer For Chilli Drying by GAUHAR
A. MASTEKBAYEVA, M. AUGUSTUS LEON and S. KUMAR
7. Low cost solar dryer for fish by S. H. Sengar, Y. P. Khandetod and A. G. Mohod
8. Design and construction of a solar drying system, a cylindrical section and analysis
of the performance of the thermal drying system by Ahmed Abed Gatea
9. Dehydration of food crops using a Solar Dryer with Convective Heat Flow by
Akwasi Ayensu
10. Solar Drying by V. Belessiotis, E. Delyannis
11. Karnataka Marine Conservation Department, Govt. of Karnataka.
12. International Scholarly Research Network, Renewable Energy Resources.
i

Mangalore Climate Data

ii

A comprehensive procedure for performance evaluation of solar food dryers.( M. Augustus Leon, S. Kumar,
S.C. Bhattacharya)
iii

iv

Design Construction and Use of Indirect, Through Pass Solar Food Dryer. (Dennis Scanlin)
Performance Study of Solar Air Heater Having Absorber Plate with Half-Perforated Bafes(B. K.Maheshwari,

Rajendra Karwa, and S. K. Gharai)

v

Design and Fabrication of a Direct Natural Convection Solar Dryer for Tapioca (Diemuodeke E.
OGHENERUONA Momoh O.L. YUSUF)