Hygroscopic and Nonhygroscopic Material

Most of the agricultural (food) products are hygroscopic materials which always have a residual moisture content. The moisture in hygroscopic materials may be Bound moisture that remains in the materials due to closed capillaries or due to surface forces or Unbounded moisture that remains in the materials due to surface tension of water. A hygroscopic materials, on getting exposed to air, will either absorb moisture or desorb moisture depending on the relative humidity of air.

Solar Drying of Agricultural Products

The basic essence of drying is to reduce the moisture content of the product to a level that presents deterioration within the SAFE STORAGE PERID. Drying is a dual process of Heat transfer to the product from the heating source, and Man transfer of moisture from the interior of the product to its surface and from the surface to the surrounding air. Drying involves the extraction of moisture from the product by heating and the passage of air mass around it to carry away the released vapour.

Solar Drying of Agricultural Products

Under ambient conditions the process of extraction of moisture continues until the vapour pressure of the moisture held in the product equals the partial pressure of the moisture held in the atmosphere. In such a case the rate of the moisture desorption from the product to the environment and absorption from the environment are in equilibrium. The moisture in the crop in such a condition is known as the Equilibrium Moisture Content.

Solar Drying of Agricultural Products

The drying process involves simultaneous Heat transfer from the surrounding to the surface of the product being dried combined with heat transmission within the material, and Mass transfer from inside the product to its surface; followed by external transport of moisture to the surroundings. Parameters of the product such as the physical properties (size, density etc.) moisture content and mass-heat transfer coefficient between the air and the agricultural product all vary during the drying process.

Solar Drying of Agricultural Products

This is further influenced by the condition external to the product such as temperature, humidity and flow rate of the drying air and also by changes in the chemical composition of the agricultural product during the drying process. Each agricultural product can tolerate a maximum temperature dependent on its type(vegetable, fruit, cereal etc.) use of the product, moisture content and degree of maturity.

Issues in Promoting the Use of Solar Dryers

The level of losses with traditional drying practices has often been exaggerated. Accurate estimation of losses in difficult Worst case experience (rather than average experience ) has influenced the perception. Benefits of small scale solar dryers over estimated.

Issues in Promoting the Use of Solar Dryers

This is further influenced by the condition external to the product such as temperature, humidity and flow rate of the drying air and also by changes in the chemical composition of the agricultural product during the drying process. Each agricultural product can tolerate a maximum temperature dependent on its type(vegetable, fruit, cereal etc.) use of the product, moisture content and degree of maturity.

Issues in Promoting the Use of Solar Dryers

Monetary values of loss prevention is often over estimated. Sensitivity of prices to consumer observable quality characteristics for common commodities is quite low. The market may not bear a sufficient premium for a high quality product to cover the additional drying costs. The solar dried products may have to be aimed at an urban market large scale caterers or middle class consumers.

Issues in Promoting the Use of Solar Dryers

There is significant seasonal variability in the demand for dryer services. Poor capacity utilization of the dryer. For dietary staples the major part of the production is for home consumption. No cash benefits from quality preservation of products. Very little financial motivation to use a dryer.