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Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying

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 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying

Muhammad Zakaria Hossain1; M. A. Hossain2; Md. Abdul Awal3; Md. Masud Alam1& A.H.M.
Maniruzzaman Rabbani4
1(Spices Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bogra, Bangladesh)

2(Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research
Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh)

3(Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh)

4 (Department of Agricultural Extension)

ABSTRACT

A solar dryer was designed, fabricated and took about 91 h in the open sun drying
installed at Spices Research Centre, Bogra system having the same weather condition.
for drying of chilli. A DC fan of 10 watt was
used for exhausting moisture with the help Key words-
of a solar panel of 15 watt. In the solar
dryer 8.75 kg dried chilli was obtained from Solar dryer; design; parameter estimation;
30 kg of red ripe chilli. The final drying performance; drying kinetics
levels of the red chili were obtained after 41
hours at upper tray and 46 hours at lower 1. Introduction
tray but took about 91 hours in the open sun
drying system, having the same weather Bangladesh is located in the tropical
condition. The area of collector designed for region of South Asia (Latitude 20.57°-
7.5 m2 dryer was 4 m2. The necessary 26.63°N and Longitude 88.02°-92.68°E),
volumetric air flow rate was calculated as receives abundant solar radiation, and
0.11 m3/s at vent area of 0.03 m2. The distribution of global solar radiation is found
average solar radiation, ambient nearly uniform all over the country [21].
temperature, ambient relative humidity, Solar drying is a promising alternative for
upper tray temperature, lower tray chilli drying in Bangladesh, because
temperature, exhaust relative humidity, mechanical drying is mainly used in
exhaust temperature and air flow rate was industrial countries and is not applicable to
110 W/m2, 34.34°C, 68.69%, 48.45°C, small farms in developing countries due to
43.53°C, 50.23%, 44.28°C and 26.38 m3/s high investment and operating costs [34].
respectively during experiment. The Solar energy for crop drying is
temperature in the dryer was significantly environmentally friendly and economically
(P<0.01) higher than that of outside viable in developing countries. The natural
temperature. The initial and final moisture convection solar drier appears to have
content of chilli in the dryer was 73% and potential for adoption and application in the
14% respectively. Again the initial and final tropics and subtropics [7].
moisture content of chilli in open sun was
73% and 18% respectively. The final drying In Bangladesh traditionally, fresh
levels of the red chili were obtained after 41 chillies are preserved by drying the fruits in
h at upper tray and 46 h at lower tray but the sun on hard dry ground/concrete
floor/flat roof of house in thin layers. In this

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 63 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

method drying can’t be controlled and as the drying load in designing the dryer. A
relatively low quality dried product is drying time of 30–36 hours was assumed for
obtained. Drying rate is very slow and takes the anticipated test location (Kumasi; 6.71N,
7-15 days, depending on the weather 1.61W) with an expected average solar
conditions [21]. Chillies become irradiance of 400W/m2 and ambient
contaminated with dust, dirt, rainfall, conditions of 25.10C and 77.8% relative
animals, birds, rodents, insects and humidity. According to the design a
microorganisms. Under these conditions, minimum of 42.4m2 of solar collection area
losses can be as high as 40–60% of total was required. Under average ambient
quantity [32]. During the drying period if conditions of 28.2 0C and 72.1% relative
there is a heavy continuous rain, the damage humidity with solar irradiance of
to the product is as high as 70–80% [31]. As 340.4W/m2, a drying time of 35.5 hours was
sun drying method is weather dependent, it realised. When tested under full designed
generally does not yield good quality load signifying that the design procedure
product due to breakage and loss of seeds. proposed is sufficiently reliable.
Some research work was done to reduce the
drying time or improve the quality of
chillies using mechanical drying method
([11],[13],[32],[36]). 2. Materials and Methods

A solar dryer was developed at Bhutan 2.1 Solar dryer design considerations
for 100-150 kg drying of chilli by Fuller et
al. [18]. The collector area, mass flow rate, A solar dryer was designed for chilli
air velocity of air, drying air temperature, drying based on the procedure described by
drying bed area was 73 m2, 3120 kg/h, 0.75 Hossain and Bala [22] for drying dates (a
m/s, 600C and 2.75 m2 respectively. An cabinet type) and procedure described by
energy analysis of solar drying of jackfruit Basunia and Abe [8] for drying rough rice
leather in a solar tunnel dryer was presented (natural convection a mixed-mode type).
by Chowdhury et al. [12]. Jackfruit leather The following points were considered in the
was dried from an initial moisture content of design of the natural convection solar dryer
about 76% (w.b.) to 11.88% moisture system:
content (w.b.) in the solar tunnel dryer
1. The amount of moisture to be
within 2 days of drying while at the same
removed from a given quantity of
drying time the moisture content of similar
wet chilli.
sample reached 13.8% (w.b.) in the open sun
2. Harvesting period during which the
drying method. A mixed- mode natural
drying is needed.
convection solar crop dryer (MNCSCD)
3. The daily sunshine hours for the
designed by Forson et al. [16] and used for
selection of the total drying time.
drying cassava and other crops in an
4. The quantity of air needed for
enclosed structure. A prototype of the dryer
drying.
was constructed to specification and used in
5. Daily solar radiation to determine
experimental drying tests. A batch of
energy received by the dryer per day.
cassava 160 kg by mass, having an initial
6. Wind speed for the calculation of air
moisture content of 67% wet basis from
vent dimensions.
which 100 kg of water is required to be
removed to have it dried to a desired The solar dryer was mixed mode type
moisture content of 17% wet basis, is used solar dryer. The dryer was consisted of dryer

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 64 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

and collector. The dryer is composed of Moisture content of agricultural product

drying chamber, drying tray, and vent. To is expressed as a percentage of moisture
design the solar dryer the following based on wet weight (wet basis) or dry
assumptions were made for the location matter (dry basis). Wet basis moisture
shown in Table 2.1 ([19], [3]). content is generally used in commercial use.
Dry basis is used primarily in research [28].
Table 2.1 Design assumptions of solar
dryer w −d
Mw (wet basis) = × 100
w
Parameter Symbol Value
w−d
Weight of fresh Mp 30 kg Md (dry basis) = ×100
d
ripe chilli
Initial MC Mi 75 % The moisture content was determined by
Final MC Mf 8% oven dry method, which is a direct method.
Latent heat hfg 2400 The product is weighed and dried, then
kJ/kg weighed. The moisture content was
Radiation Sr 52380 calculated using the moisture content
kJ/m2 equations [28]. The oven temperature was
Efficiency η 0.25 maintained 70 0C for drying of chilli. The
Density of air ρa 1.127 total drying time was 24 hours. After 24
kg/m3 hours, the dried chilli was unloaded and
Wind speed Vw 3.5 m/s taken to an electric balance (CP423S,
Ambient Ta 30oC Sartorius, Germany) for determining final
temperature weight of chilli.
Dryer Td 50oC
temperature 2.3 Moisture to be removed from chilli
Drying time t 24 h
During drying, water at the surface of
Spreading density ρs 4 kg/m2
the substance evaporates and water in the
Solar insolation Ig 4.85
inner part migrates to the surface to get
kJh/day
evaporated. The ease of this migration
Humidity ratio Wa1 0.019
depends on the porosity of the substance
before drying kg/kg
and the surface area available. Other factors
water
that may enhance quick drying of food
Humidity ratio Wa2 0.021
items are: high temperature, high wind
after drying kg/kg
speed and low relative humidity [10]. The
water
amount of moisture to be removed from
Product Tpr 42 oC chilli was calculated using the followig
temperature equation:
Specific heat Cp 3.81kJ/kg
o
capacity of the C Mp (Mi - Mf)
product Mr = ------------------------(1)
(100 - Mf )
(kJ/kgoC),
Acceleration due g 9.8 m/s2 Where, Mr = moisture to be removed (%),
gravity Mp = Sample weight (kg), Mi = Initial MC
(%), Mf = Final MC (%).
2.2 Moisture content of chilli

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 65 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

2.4 Instantaneous or final moisture of the The quantity of heat required to

product evaporate the H2O from chilli would be:

The percentage of moisture content is E = Mr × hfg --------------(6)

obtained from the following relations [29]:
The amount needed is a function of
Md = Mp (1 - Mi/100) ----------- (2) temperature and moisture content of the
crop. The latent heat of vaporization was
Md = Mwf (1-Mfr/100) ----------- (3) calculated using equation given by Youcef-
Ali et al. [40] as follows:
from relations (2-3) the final moisture
content is obtained as: hfg = 4186 [597-0.56(Tpr)]------------(7)
100 Mp Mi 2.7 Collector area
Mf = 100 − 1− --------
Mwf 100
--(4) The collector was made for maximum
utilization of solar energy. The black body
Where, Md = mass of dry product (kg), Mp material was used for increasing the
= initial mass of wet product (kg), Mwf = efficiency of collector. Kalogirou [27]
final mass of wet product (kg), Mi = initial stated that the best slope (tilt angle) for the
moisture content (%), Mf = final moisture flat plat collector is equals to the latitude of
content (%). the physical location. Still, the arrangement
can be varied by 100 to 150 depending on
2.5 Pressure throughout the drying bed: applications in which, for space heating
purpose (solar collector), a latitude plus 100
The airflow velocity decreases with
is recommended for optimum solar radiation
increasing thickness of the drying bed,
exposure during the summertime and a
which reduces the efficiency of the dryer. In
minus to the same degree during the winter
a passive solar collector, air flows from the
[35]. Similar statement was made by
collector into the drying chamber due to the
Sulaiman et al. [38] in their solar electricity
air density difference (kg). The pressure
generation works. In Bangladesh average
difference across the chilli bed will be
tilt angle of solar collector should be 23.50
solely due to the density difference between
for maximum exposure solar radiation [6].
the hot air inside the dryer and the ambient
air. Air pressure can be determined by E
equation given by Jindal and Gunasekaran Area collector, Ac = ---------------(8)
Sr × η
[24],
Width of collector, Wc = 1.50 m (assuming)
P = 0.00308 g (ti - tam) H -------------(5)
Ac
Length of collector, Lc = ---------------(9)
Where, H = pressure head (height of the hot Wc

air column from the base of the dryer to the

Where, Ac = Collector area, (m2), E =
point of air discharge from the dryer) m, P =
Energy (kJ), Sr = Radiation, (kJ/m2), η =
air pressure (Pa), g =is the acceleration due
Efficiency, (%)
gravity (m/s2), and tam = ambient
o
temperature ( C), ti= Inside temperature 2.8 Collector useful heat energy gain
(oC).

2.6 Energy requirement

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 66 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

The collector useful heat energy gain meter of tray area [39]. Insufficient airflow
required to dry a given quantity of can result in slow moisture removal as well
agricultural product, was obtained by using as high dryer temperatures. However, the
equation [14]: internal resistance to moisture movement in
agricultural products is much greater when
Q = Cp Mp (Tc - Tam) + hfg Mwf --------------- compared to the surface mass transfer
-(10) resistance that the airflow rate beyond
certain levels has no significant effect on the
Where: Cp = Specific heat capacity of the drying rate [20]. In natural circulation
product (kJ/kgoC), Mp = Initial weight of systems, airflow is primarily determined by
product before drying (kg), hfg = Heat of the temperature rise in collector. Higher
evaporation of moisture from the product flow may be used at the beginning of drying
(kJ/ kg ), Mwf = Dry matter of product ( kg ), and lower flow when drying enters the
Tc = Collector temperature (oC), Tam = ‘falling-rate period’. Volumetric air flow
Ambient temperature (oC) rate can be calculated as follows,
2.9 Drying rate and average drying rate Mf
Volumetric air flow rate, Vaf = -----------
ρa
The drying rate is proportional to the (14)
difference in moisture content between
material to be dried and the equilibrium 2.11 Vent area
moisture content [15]. The concept of thin
layer drying was assumed for the Two air vents for ventilation were
experiments as reported by Dhanegopal provided. Inlet air hole (front air vent)
[Link] [13], located above the base of absorber plate
(black body CI sheet); The outlet vent (rear
dM air vent); was located 10cm below the back
Dr = ------------(11)
dt top edge and provided with adjustable cover
for dryer temperature control. The dryer was
Thus we can write from equation 11 as ,
set on four casters to make it mobile [3].
Mr
Dr = ------------(12) Vaf
t The air vent was calculated as Av = ------
Vw
The mass of air needed for drying was (15)
calculated using equation given by Sodha et
Vent diameter, Dv
al. [37] as, 2
= { ∏ ×Vent area cm }/4 -----------------
Dr ------------------------(16)
Mf = -------------------(13)
(Wa2 – Wa1) × 3600
Where, Av = area of the air vent (m2), Vw =
2.10 Airflow rate wind speed (m/s). Lv = length of air vent
(m), will be equal to the length of the dryer,
Drying efficiency may suffer at high Vaf = Volumetric air flow rate, (m3/s).
airflow rates since air may not have
adequate contact time with the food to 2.12 Drying area
increase its moisture content. Optimum
airflow rate for solar dryers has been The drying cabinet, together with the
reported to be about 0.75 m3/min per square structural frame of the dryer, was built from

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 67 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

polyvenyl sheet which could withstand at of angle bar (3.18 cm) for constructing of
atmospheric attacks. An outlet vent was dryer chamber. Square bar was mainly used
provided toward the upper end at the back in the trays. It was also used for supporting
of the cabinet to facilitate and control the the polythene sheet. There needed 64 m of
convective flow of air through the dryer. square bar (8mm) for constructing the 4
The roof and the two opposite side walls of trays and 32.3 m of square bar (8mm) for
the cabinet are covered with transparent constructing the roof of the dryer. The
glass sheets of 4-mm thick, which provided polythene is an important element for
additional heating due to greenhouse effect trapping solar energy to the dryer. The solar
as shown in Figure 2.2. incident of short wavelength enters through
the polythene sheet and makes the chamber
Mp hot. The long wavelength generates into the
Drying area, Ad = ------------------(17)
ρs dryer then trapped and makes the chamber
hotter. The polythene film also protects
Number of tray, Nt = 4, from migration of dust or microorganisms
Ad into the dryer. There was used 7.5 m2 of
Area of each tray, At = ------------------- polythene film (1.5 mm thick) both in the
Nt
(18) dryer and collector.

At The approximate weight of the dryer

Width of each tray, Wt = ------------------ when loaded with the drying product is 420
Lt
(19) kg. So there needed heavy roller to support
this whole structure. There was used 8
Where, Lt = Length of tray (m) number of wheel of 101.6 mm diameter.
The fixation of dryer component was done
2.13 Physical features of the dryer by nut and bolt. This type of fixation
ensured ease of handling of all the parts as
The dryer was made by PVC sheet, they can be repaired and replaced when
angle bar, square bar, polythene film, wheel, needed. The dryer and collector were fixed
nut and bolt, poly coated wire net, with nut and bolt so that transportation can
corrugated iron sheet, paint, solar panel and be done easily. There needed 100 piece of
fan. Poly Vinyl Chloride is water resistant 12.7 mm diameter nut and bolt and 20 piece
sheet. It was used as an insulator of the of 25.4 mm diameter nut and bolt.
dryer. Both the dryer chamber and the
collector were surrounded by PVC sheet. The poly coated wire net is the supporter
The dryer means to be exposed in the open of the trays. There needed 16.7 m2 of plastic
air. So the dryer need to be resistive from coated mesh (6.3 mesh per cm). The poly
the weathering. Another important concern coat on the wire net makes the net stainless
is to lighten the dryer for handling and resistive to weathering. The corrugated
suitability. The PVC sheet is very light and iron (CI) sheet was placed at the collector.
resistive to water. According to design The angle of the collector was 23.50 with
parameter there needed 5.1 m2 of PVC sheet horizon. The CI sheet is also placed with an
of 12 mm. Angle bar was used as the main angle of 23.50. The main purpose of using
supporting structure of the dryer. The whole CI sheet was to increase the surface area of
dryer structure was supported by the angle the collector so that more solar radiation can
bar. There needed 16.5 m of angle bar (3.18 be absorbed to produce more heat. The
cm) for constructing of collector and 49.9 m overall dimensions of CI sheet were 1500

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 68 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

mm × 2700 mm × 1mm. The CI sheet was an anemometer (TA 430, England). The
painted with black paint. The black paint value was recorded both in m/s and m3/s.
absorbs solar radiation and heats of the The ambient and exhaust temperature was
chamber. The yellowish color was used to recorded by a digital thermometer (K202,
the MS bar for protecting of metal from Germany) at 0C. The upper tray and lower
corrosion. From the calculation the power tray temperature was also recorded by the
required to operate a 10 watt fan and used thermometer. The hygrometer (GM 1360,
15 watt panel. The panel was faced 23.50 to China) was used to record the relative
the horizon. The angle ensures maximum humidity of inside and outside of the dryer
utilization of solar radiation of the panel for and upper or lower tray of the dryer. Three
producing electric power. The dimension of samples were taken at the upper tray and
solar panel was 609.6 mm × 304.8 mm × another three samples at the lower tray at
25.4 mm. A 15cm DC fan of 12 watt was different location in the dryer. These
used as a moisture exhauster. The fan plays samples were weighed at one hour interval
important role for removing moisture from by an electric balance outside of the dryer in
the drying chamber. The computer aided order to get moisture content of chilli at one
deign and prototype of the solar dryer is hour intervel. The balance was surrounded
shown in Figure 2.1 and 2.2 by glass so that flowing air can not affect
the weighing value. After drying dried
2.14 Drying of chilli chilli was unloaded from drying chamber.
The upper tray chilli and lower tray chilli
About 30 kg of fresh harvested red ripe was taken two individual plastic packets.
chilli of summer (line CO517) was collected The computer aided design of the prototype
from Spices Research Centre, Shibgonj, is shown in Figure 2.1
Bogra. The uniform size, shape with nice
red color and physically healthy chillies
were manually sorted for the experiment.
The chilli was cleaned by water for
removing dust and foreign matter. The large
foreign materials were removed by hand.
The chilli was then spreaded to the trays.
Before placing into the dryer the chilli was
weighed by an electric balance. Then the
product was taken to the dryer for
experimentation. The experimental data was
taken from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at one hour
interval. The data of solar radiation was
taken by a solar meter (UVA 18573, USA)
in W/m2. The air flow rate was measured by

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 69 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848
15 W solar panel

15 cm dia. fan

4 mm thick polythene

50 cm

250 cm CI sheet

Solar collector
112 cm

23.50

24 cm
10.2 cm dia.
125 cm 125 cm 80 cm 150 cm
wheel

Figure 2.1 Side view of solar dryer

The pictorial view of the dryer is shown as in Figure 2.2

Figure 2.2 Fabricated solar dryer

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 70 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

3 Results and discussion

3.1 Dryer design and parameter estimation

The field data during experiment was taken and shown as in Table 3.1
Table 3.1 Field investigated data

Parameter Symbol Value

final mass of wet product (kg) Mwf 8.75 kg
Pressure head H 1.45 m
Temperature inside of the dryer ti 44.28°C
ambient temperature tam 34.34°C
Collector Temperature tc 88°C

The designed and data and parameter estimated data has shown in Table 3.2
Table 3.2 Calculated data and parameter estimation
Parameter Denoted Equation no. Value
Moisture to be removed from chilli Mr 1 21.85 kg
Instantaneous or final moisture of the product Mfr 4 14 %
Pressure throughout the drying bed P 5 0.43pa
Energy requirement E 6 52 MJ
Collector area Ac 8 4.00 m2
Length Wc Assuming 1.50 m
Width Lc 9 2.67 m
Collector useful heat energy gain Q 10 27 MJ
Drying rate and average drying rate Dr 12 0.91 kg/h
Airflow rate Mass flow rate Mf 13 0.13 kg/s
Volumetric air flow rate Vaf 14 0.11 m3/s
Vent area Vent area Av 15 0.03 m2
Vent diameter Dv 16 15.86 cm
Drying area Ad 17 7.5 m2
Number of tray Nt Assuming 4 no.
Dryer Area of each tray At 18 1.875 m2
Length of tray Lt Assuming 1.5 m
Width of each tray Wt 19 1.25 m
Moisture content chilli at dryer Mw Before drying 73%
(Oven dry) Mw After drying 14%
chilli at open sun Mw Before drying 73%
Mw After drying 18%
temperature was 48.45°C, lower tray
3.2 Dryer performance temperature was 43.53°C, exhaust relative
humidity was 50.23%, exhaust temperature
The data shown as in Table 4.1 was taken at was 44.28°C and air flow rate was 26.38
26 May 2013. The data was taken from 8:00 m3/s.
am to 6:00 pm of one hour interval. The
average solar radiation was 110 W/m2,
ambient temperature was 34.34°C, ambient
relative humidity was 68.69%, upper tray

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 71 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

Table 3.3 Temperature, relative humidity, airflow and solar radiation recorded during drying of chilli

Time (h) Air Flow

Temperature (°C)

Temperature (°C)

Temperature (°C)

Temperature (°C)

Exhaust Relative
Ambient relative

Solar Radiation
Humidity (%)
Humidity (%)

Lower Tray
Upper Tray
Ambient m/s m3/s

Exhaust

(W/m2)
9:00 am 30.3 80.4 41.5 37.1 38.1 62.2 1.09 14.53 40
10:00 am 30.4 79.4 43.9 37 38.4 60.5 2.15 28.88 62
11:00 am 33.2 73.1 50.4 41.7 43.2 52.5 2.56 34.29 92
12:00 pm 34.7 68.1 48.8 45.3 49.4 40.4 3.02 40.46 200
1:00 pm 36.7 62.3 59 52.1 53 36.2 2.9 39.59 190
2:00 pm 37.2 59.1 58.5 51.6 53.4 33.9 2.45 33.51 200
3:00 pm 34.8 63.8 49.6 47.2 45.4 47.4 1.35 18.23 47
4:00 pm 37.7 55.8 53 45.7 47.1 40 2.54 33.71 150
5:00 pm 35.4 62.9 44.1 41.5 41.7 50.2 1.44 19.1 100
6:00 pm 33 82 35.7 36.1 33.1 79 0.11 1.49 19
Mean 34.34 68.69 48.45 43.53 44.28 50.23 1.96 26.38 110

The solar radiation was very high from solar radiation increased the relative
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. At 3:00 pm there was humidity both in inside and outside of the
cloudy environment, so in this time the solar dryer decreased. But the outside relative
radiation diminishes significantly (P<0.01). humidity was always higher than that of
The temperature in the dryer was inside of the dryer shown as in Figure 3.2
significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of
outside temperature shown as in Figure 3.1 250 90
80
Solar Radiation (W/m2)

250 60 200 70

Relative Humidity (%)

60
Solar radiation (W/m2)

200 50 150
50
40 40
Temperature (°C)

150 100
30 30
100 50 Solar Radiation 20
Solar Radiation
20 Ambient Relative Humadity 10
50 Ambient Temperature 10 0 Exhaust Relative Humidity 0
Exhaust Temperature
0 0 11am 2pm 5pm
Time (h)
12pm
1pm
2pm
3pm
4pm
5pm
6pm
9am
10am
11am

Time Figure 3.2 Variation of relative humidity at

(h) different solar radiation
Figure 3.1 Variation of temperature at The air flow rate was directly
different solar radiation proportionate to the solar radiation. When
solar radiation increased the air flow rate
The relative humidity had inverse was also increased as shown as in Figure 3.3
relation with solar radiation. Whenever the

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 72 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

250 45
40
Solar Radiation (W/m2)

200 35

Air flow (m3/s)

30 3.3 Drying kinetics
150
25
20 The drying rate of upper tray, lower tray
100
15
and open sun chilli is shown as in Figure
50 10
Solar Radiation
3.5. The open sun drying of chilli was held
5
Air Flow from 25 May to 08 June 2013 which took 14
0 0
days (91 hours) for drying of the same
10am 12pm 2pm 4pm 6pm
variety of chilli of same weather condition.
Time (h)
The drying rate in the dryer was double than
that of the open sun drying of chilli. The
Figure 3.3 Variation of air flow at different drying rate of the upper tray chilli was
solar radiation higher than that of the lower tray chilli
because upper tray temperature was higher
The upper tray temperature was always than that of the lower tray.
higher than that of lower tray temperature.
The temperature profile shows that upper The effect of various temperature
tray temperature > lower tray temperature > gradients and pressures, makes the mass
ambient temperature. The exhaust transfers (vapor and liquid) study complex.
temperature of the dryer is nearly the The problem becomes more complicated
average of upper tray and lower tray when it is a question of using achieved
temperature resulting of combined effect. In results to dimension or model the dryer. The
about to all these cases the temperature approach is generally empirical. It consists
increases with the increase of solar in the determination of two representations
radiation. of curves which are the product moisture
Ambient Temperature (°C) content with the time (M = f(t)), (Figure
Upper Tray Temperature (°C) 3.5) and the drying rate with the time (dM/dt
Lower Tray Temperature (°C)
Exhaust Temperature (°C)
= f(t)) (Figure 3.6), obtained by calculating
Solar Radiation (W/m2) directly the derivative dM/dt from
70 250
experimental points.
60
200
Temperature (°C)

Radiation (W/m2)

50 80
150 Open Sun Drying
40 70
Moisture content, % (wb)

Lower Tray Drying

30 100 Upper Tray Dyring
60
20
50 50
10
40
0 0
30
12pm
9am
10am
11am

1pm
2pm
3pm
4pm
5pm
6pm

20
Time(h) 10
0
Figure 3.4 Variation of temperature
different solar radiation 1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81
Time (h)

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 73 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

Figure 3.5 Moisture content variations with migration of free water by capillarity and
drying time the temperature of the product is always
equal to hygroscopic temperature.
In Figure 3.6, the drying kinetics Downstream, the migration is due to the
enables the identification of four distinct diffusion phenomena (vapor) or diffusion-
drying phases, The first phase, noted OP is sorption (water dependent) and there is
the short period of rise in temperature. It increasing temperature in this zone. In the
stops as soon as the product reaches the fourth phase, noted ST, the product is in
drying chamber air temperature. The second hygroscopic field. Water does not exist any
phase, noted PQ, is a constant rate drying more but in dependent form and in vapor
phase. The product surface is constantly fed form. The drying rate decreases very slowly
out of interstitial water by capillary forces. and tends towards zero. This value is
reached when the moisture content balance
4 of the surfaces in contact with air is
obtained. This is related to the drying
3.5 P
Q conditions which are given by the
Drying rate (per hour)

3 desorption isotherms. The drying process is

2.5 then finished.
Drying rate at sun drying
2 Drying rate at upper tray These results are in good agreement
1.5 Drying rate at lower tray with those of Ayensu [4], Belahmidi et al.
1 [9] and Lahsasni et al. [30]. So, it can be
S said that the drying rate makes possible to
0.5 see that the isenthalpic phase duration is
R
0 O short, compared to the total drying time.
1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 The first phase of declination is very brutal
and lasts little time. It is in fact a transition
Time (h) zone. On the other hand, the fourth phase of
the drying process is very long. This can be
Figure 3.6 Dehydration rate of chilli explained by the fact that low moisture
contents, close to moisture content balance,
This phase is also called isenthalpic must be reached. For a safe storage of
phase since the energy received by the harvests products of a relative humidity of
product is entirely used for the vaporization 80–90%, Ayensu [4] recommends a
of surface waters. During this phase, all the moisture content balance Mep14%. The
product remains at the drying chamber value in this study is 14% for drying in the
temperature. In the third phase, noted QR, dreyer and 18% at open sun drying.
when the surface of the product reaches the
hygroscopic threshold, drying enters into a The final drying levels of the red chili
first step of declination. At the start of this were obtained after 41 h at upper tray and
phase, the drying rate decreases very 46 h at lower tray but took about 91 h in the
quickly. The evaporation zone is now inside open sun drying system having the same
the product. From each side of the weather condition. A significant saving in
evaporation zone, there are different drying time was obtained for solar drying
methods of transport. Upstream, in the compared with open sun drying. Fig. 6
center of the product, there is always clearly indicates that the drying rate in the

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 74 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

solar drying system under forced convection our research shows the same result that
can be much higher than that of the open drying in the dryer take low drying time and
sun drying, as reported by Akpinar [2]. can achieve low moisture content than that
of open sun drying.
The drying time obtained in the present
study was compared with the results 4 Conclusion
obtained in previous studies. Fudholi et al.
[17] reported that the moisture content of The drying rate of the upper tray chilli
fresh chili decreased from 80% (w.b) to 5% was higher than that of the lower tray chilli.
(w.b) in 48 h of solar drying. Banout et al. The drying rate was significantly (P<0.01)
[5] compared the use of a double-pass solar higher at dryer than that of open sun drying.
dryer with a cabinet dryer via open sun The final moisture content of dried chilli in
drying of red chili in Central Vietnam. dryer and sun was 14% and 18%. About
Drying 40 kg of red chili by using a double- 21.25 kg of water was removed from 30 kg
pass solar dryer reduced the moisture of chilli in the dryer against our desired
content from 90% (w.b) to 10% (w.b) in 32 amount of 21.85 kg. The average
h (including nights). Mohanraj and temperature in the dryer and open sun was
Chandrasekar [33] reported that 40 kg of 44.28°C and 34.34°C respectively. The
chili by using a forced convection solar relative humidity had inverse relation with
drier integrated with gravel as heat storage solar radiation. Whenever the solar radiation
material reduced the moisture content from increased the relative humidity both in
73% (w.b) to 9% (w.b) in 24 h . Janjai et al. inside and outside of the dryer decreased.
[23] reported the use of a solar greenhouse But the inside relative humidity was
dryer to dry 300 kg of red chili. In this significantly (P<0.01) lower than that of
dryer, the moisture content was reduced outside relative humidity. The air flow rate
from 75% to 15% in 3 d. Kaewkiew et al. was directly proportionate to the solar
[25] investigated the performance of a radiation. Because DC fan shows maximum
large-scale greenhouse dryer to dry red chili efficiency at maximum solar radiation. The
in Thailand. Drying 500 kg of red chili by final moisture of chilli in dryer and open
using this dryer reduced the moisture sun was 14% and 18% respectively. It
content from 74% to 9% in 3 d. means dryer has more ability to extract
Kaleemullah and Kailappan [26] studied the moisture from chilli than that of open sun
drying kinetics of red chili in a rotary dryer. drying. The length and width of the
They conducted drying experiments at a collector was 1.50 m and 2.67 m. The
temperature range of 50oC to 65oC for 19 h collector useful heat energy gain was 27MJ
to 33 h and observed that the quality of against of 52 MJ requriment of energy. As
dried red chili and drying time increased at like as collector the dryer was also exposed
a low drying temperature. However, to sun by plastic film to fullfill the rest of
Hossain and Bala [22] reported that energy demand. About 4 no of trays were
moisture content of red chilli was reduced used to utilize effient space utilization and
from 2.85 to 0.05 kg kg-1 (db) in 20 h in at economic concern. The temperature in the
solar tunnel drier and it took 32 h to reduce upper tray was higher that that of lower tray
the moisture content to 0.09 and 0.40 kg kg- and sun drying dryer. There was significant
1 (P<0.01) temperature difference between
(db) in improved and conventional sun
drying methods, respectively. Upon in dryer and open sun drying temperature.
comparison with Hossain and Bala’s work

Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 75 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
 International Journal of Research (IJR) Vol-2, Issue-1 January 2015 ISSN 2348-6848

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P a g e | 76 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani
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Design and Development of Solar Dryer for Chilli Drying| Muhammad Zakaria Hossain; M. A.
P a g e | 78 Hossain; Md. Abdul Awal; Md. Masud Alam& A.H.M. Maniruzzaman Rabbani

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