Pamantasanng Cabuyao

Laguna, Philippines 4025

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Title Page …………………………………………………………….

Approval Sheet …………………………………………………………….
Dedication …………………………………………………………….
Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………….
Abstract …………………………………………………………….
Table of Contents …………………………………………………………….
List of Tables …………………………………………………………….
List of Figures …………………………………………………………….

Chapter 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction …………………………………….
Background of the Study …………………………………….
Theoretical Framework …………………………………….
Statement of the Problem …………………………………….
Conceptual Framework …………………………………….
Objectives …………………………………….
Assumptions …………………………………….
Scope and Limitations …………………………………….
Significance of the Study …………………………………….
Definition of Terms …………………………………….

Chapter 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Conceptual Literature …………………………………….
Research Literature …………………………………….
(At least 5 each for local and foreign
literature and studies)
Relevance to the Present Study …………………………………….

Chapter 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Project/Research Design …………………………………….
Project Development …………………………………….
Operation/Testing Procedure …………………………………….
Evaluation Procedure …………………………………….
Evaluation Criteria …………………………………….
Instruments and Techniques Used …………………………….
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Chapter 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Project Technical Description …………………………………….
Project Structure/Organization …………………………………….
Project Limitations and Capabilities …………………………….
Project Evaluation …………………………………….

Chapter 5 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS &

RECOMMENDATONS
Summary of Findings …………………………………….
Conclusions …………………………………….
Recommendations …………………………………….

Bibliography …………………………………….
Appendices …………………………………….
Researcher’s Profile …………………………………….
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Laguna, Philippines 4025

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CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

In the history of mankind, drying by the sun under an open sky for preserving
food and agricultural crops has been practiced since ancient times. Conversely, this
process has many disadvantages, i.e., products get spoiled due to rain, wind,
moisture, and dust; loss of produce due to birds and animals; deterioration in the
harvested crops due to putrefaction, insect attacks, and fungi. Apart from this, this
process is labor intensive and time consuming, and requires a large area for
spreading the produce out to dry.

Keeping the product fresh is the best way to maintain its nutritional value, but
most storage techniques require low temperatures, which are difficult to maintain
throughout the distribution chain. On the other hand, drying is a suitable alternative
for post-harvest management especially in countries like Philippines where exist
poorly established low temperature distribution and handling facilities. It is noted that
over 20% of the world perishable crops are dried to increase shelf-life and promote
food security. It is the oldest and most effective method of lowering water content in
order to slow down food spoilage by micro-organisms.

Commonly three words are used to express the removal of water from a food
product “drying” or “dehydration”, or “dewatering”. Vega- Mercado et al. (2001)
explained that these words are used to differentiate the process according to the
level of water removed (Mulet, 2011). “Drying” of food material occurs when water
vapor is removed from its surface into the surrounding space, resulting in a relatively
dried form of the material. In “dewatering”, liquid water is drained or squeezed out of
the material. In “dehydration” evaporation of water takes place initially the surface
water (external diffusion) then from interior surface of raw material (internal
diffusion). If the rate of external diffusion is far greater than internal diffusion it leads
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to over dehydration i.e ‘case hardening’. When the water concentration in the interior
is too high its water vapor pressure will be too high. This causes cracking of the
more tender tissues and thus the cracking of the surface with leaching of the soluble
substances from the interior, affecting negatively the appearance and quality of the
final product.

Background of the Study

In the Philippines, DOST recently presented its solar-powered fish dryer for
small fishermen within the Taal Lake Protected Area. The machine is Powered by
eight solar panels and with a cabinet and tray made of stainless steel, the dryer is
capable of drying 20 kilos of fish in six hours. It can accommodate “tawilis” and
“biya” in particular from Batangas Province’s lake. The fish dryer is expected to
improve product quality and production process, thus generating better livelihood
opportunities for small fishermen.

Recently developed artificial mechanical drying is energy intensive. But

eventually it increases the product cost. The modern trend of solar drying equipment
offers an exceptional method that can process the goods in clean, disinfected, and
hygienic conditions to national and international standards with zero energy costs. It
uses optimum energy and time and occupies less area. It improves product quality.
It makes the process more efficient and protects from the environment.

The use of artificial drying to preserve agricultural products has expanded

widely, creating a need for more rapid drying techniques and methods that minimize
the amount of energy used in these processes. Thus, innovative techniques to
increase drying rates and enhance final product quality have gained considerable.
Many of the drying technologies are the outcome of the ‘technological revolution’ of
the pre- and post-war periods (1940-1950). Moreover, the space programme (1950-
1990) also brought in its wake technologies that were soon to become a part of our
food industry’s currency (Henry, 1997).
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Microcontroller Drying
Theory Theory

Humidity
Sensing Theory GSM
Temperature Theory
Sensing Theory

Multi -
Commodity
Photovoltaic Cabinet PIDC
Dehydrator
Theory with PID Theory
Control and
Notification

Figure 1.1: Theoretical framework of Multi - Commodity Cabinet Dehydrator with PID

Control and Notification

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To make an innovation on the existing cabinet dehydrator, it is good to

understand the laws and theories relevant to the study.

Photovoltaic system refers to an electric voltage system caused by light. Solar

electricity is a method of turning sunlight into electrical energy. This is achieved

through the use of solar cells or solar panels to power home appliances such as

TV’s, radios, and any other appliances commonly used. There are two types of

electrical currents: AC and DC. AC is alternating current, the standard electrical

current in the US. DC is direct current, which is the type of current supplied by

batteries. This is the electrical current that cars use and solar electric panels

produce. It consists of an arrangement of several components, PV module (solar

panel) transforms light energy into electrical energy and mainly consists of cells

made mainly of silicon. Voltage Regulator (charge controller) regulates the voltage

coming from the solar panel to the battery by keeping it from overcharging. Battery

store the energy produced by the panel for use at night or days when the sun is not

available. In photovoltaic systems deep cycle batteries are commonly used because

the depth of discharge is 50% percent or more before being charged backup.

Shallow cycle is the opposite where the battery is discharged only a few percent

before being charged backup. Inverter converts the DC current produced by the
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solar panel into AC current, so you can power household appliances. AC disconnect

allows to automatically shut off/on the power going into your household appliances

by the use of relay.

Sensors have been mostly used in any smart machine or other electronic

devices nowadays. Sensors is a device, module, or subsystem whose purpose is to

detect events or changes in its environment and sends the information to other

electronics, frequently a computer processor. Aside from many sensors

commercially available, one of these is a humidity sensor.

Humidity sensor and temperature sensor are the most frequently used

sensors in the industry because these are the frequently measured physical

quantities in measurement science. Humidity sensor or hygrometer measures and

reports both moisture and air temperature. These works by detecting changes that

alter electrical currents or temperature in the air. Capacitive humidity sensors

measures relative humidity by placing a thin strip of metal oxide between to

electrodes. The metal oxide’s electrical capacity changes with the atmosphere’s

relative humidity. Resistive humidity sensors utilize ions in salts to measure the

electrical impedance of atoms. As humidity changes, so do the resistance of the

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electrodes on the either side of the salt medium. Thermal humidity sensors conduct

electricity based upon the humidity of the surrounding air. One sensor is encased in

dry nitrogen while the other measures ambient air. The difference between the two

measures the humidity.

Temperature sensing exhibits resistive and voltage varying detection

principles. RTD (Resistor Temperature Detector) and thermistors uses resistive

detection. Where the resistance is proportional to the temperature. A thermocouple

is the most commonly used temperature sensor and its abbreviated as TC. It is a

voltage device that indicates temperature by measuring a change in the voltage. It is

consists of two different metals: opened and closed. These metals work on the

principle of thermo-electric effect or seebeck effect. When two dissimilar metals

produce a voltage, then a thermal difference exists between the two metals. When

temperature goes up, the output voltage of the thermocouple also increases.
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Statement of the Problem

The design project generally aims to know how to integrate power switching,

temperature and humidity control and notification to the existing food dehydrator.

1. How to create a system that will have a dual power that will switch on and off to

off grid and on grid.

2. How to create a system that will control the temperature and humidity inside the

cabinet.

3. How to create a system

4. How to develop a system that will notify the owner if the goods are ready for

harvest.
Pamantasanng Cabuyao
Laguna, Philippines 4025

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING