摘要
This research focuses on developing innovative hybrid solar dryers that combine solar Photovoltaic(PV)and solar thermal systems for sustainable food preservation in Pakistan,addressing the country’s pressing issues of high post-harvest losses and unreliable energy sources.The proposed active hybrid solar dryer features a drying cabinet,two Direct Current(DC)fans for forced convection,and a resistive heating element powered by a 180 W solar PV panel.An energy-storing battery ensures continuous supply to the auxiliaries during periods of low solar irradiance,poor weather conditions,or nighttime.Tomatoes,a delicate and in-demand crop,were selected for experimentation due to their high perishability.Three experiments were conducted on the same prototype:natural convection direct solar dryer(NCDSD),forced convection direct solar dryer(FCDSD),and forced convection hybrid solar dryer(FCHSD).Each experiment began with 0.2 kg of tomatoes at 94%moisture content,achieving significant reductions:28.57%with NCDSD,16.667%with FCDSD,and 16.667%with FCHSD.The observed drying rates varied:1.161 kg/h for NCDSD,2.062 kg/h for FCDSD,and 2.8642 kg/h for FCHSD.This study presents a comparative analysis of efficiency,drying rate,and cost-effectiveness,alongside the system’s economic and environmental feasibility.
基金
supported by the Ignite National Technology fund,under National Grassroots Initiatives Program of ICT R&D(NIGRI),Project ID.NGIRI-2024-23901 of 2024.
