DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIRECT FORCED CONVECTION SOLAR DRYER FOR CASSAVA CHIPS
Keywords:
Design, preliminary testing, forced convection, indirect, solar dryer, cassava chipsAbstract
Solar drying has been widely applied as a preservative measure for agricultural/food materials, as a
system which combines cost-effectiveness (coupled with other advantages) with efficiency. This work
presents the design, construction and preliminary testing of an indirect forced convection solar dryer. The
system was constructed using locally available materials at a total cost of N40,550. The calculated
collector area is 0.32m2 fan ratings is 20 CFM; 24 VDC; 1.4 A. Photovoltaic Panel rating is 15 W,
while battery rating is 24 VDC. It was tested under no load (for temperature variations) and load (for
temperature, relative humidity and moisture content variations) conditions. The equipment was used to
dry cassava (Manihot spp) chips in order to study the effect of the enhanced airflow on the drying rate of
the product. The drying test was carried out in two replications. The duration of each test was 0800hr to
1800hr. At no load maximum temperatures of
