Development of a Portable and Low-Cost Modular Solar Dryer with Interlocking Panels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52151/jae2026631.1998Keywords:
drying efficiency, drying rate characteristics, polycarbonate, payback period, thermal efficiencyAbstract
A modular solar dryer of 10 kg holding capacity featuring an interlocking panel design was developed and evaluated for drying agricultural produce. The dryer was constructed using polycarbonate sheets, enabling easy assembly and disassembly. Performance evaluation included no-load and load testing using amla (Phyllanthus emblica) slices (10-15 mm thickness) to assess temperature variations, relative humidity and thermal efficiency. The no-load test showed that the dryer-maintained 15°C-20°C higher temperatures with 20%-30% lower relative humidity compared to ambient condition. During load testing, the drying rate peaked at the initial hours and progressively decreased as moisture content decreased. The top tray exhibited superior drying performance due to enhanced heat exposure. The six-tray modular dryer (capital cost of ₹10,100) achieved safe moisture levels (<10% wb) within 15 operating hours over three days. Economic analysis demonstrated high internal rate of return (91.8% with labour cost) and short payback period (1.65 years). The enclosed design minimized contamination, ensuring improved product quality. The results indicated that this modular solar dryer offers a flexible, cost-effective, and portable solution suitable for small-scale farmers and food processors, ensuring better energy utilization and product quality.
Downloads
References
Andharia, J. K., Solanki, J. B., & Maiti, S. (2023). Performance evaluation of a mixed-mode solar thermal dryer with black pebble-based sensible heat storage for drying marine products. Journal of Energy Storage, 57, 106186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.106186 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.106186
Agbossou, K., Boroze, T. T. E., Amou, K. A., Napo, K., & Batako, A. D. L. (2023). Numerical and experimental validation of solar tunnel dryer for drying agricultural products under Togo climatic conditions. International Journal of Physics, 11(6), 274-282. https://doi.org/10.12691/ijp-11-6-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12691/ijp-11-6-1
Bolaji, B. O., & Olalusi, A. P. (2008). Performance evaluation of a mixed-mode solar dryer. AU Journal of Technology, 11(4), 225-231.
Čekon, M., & Struhala, K. (2018). Polycarbonate multi-wall panels integrated in multi-layer solar façade concepts. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 415, 012019. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/415/1/012019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/415/1/012019
Chaatouf, D., Salhi, M., Raillani, B., Dihmani, N., Amraqui, S., Moussaoui, M. A., & Mezrhab, A. (2020). Trays effect on the dynamic and thermal behavior of an indirect solar dryer using CFD method. In: Hajji, B., Mellit, A., Marco Tina, G., Rabhi, A., Launay, J., Naimi, S. (eds), Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Electronic Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering (vol. 681, pp. 691-697), Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6259-4_72 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6259-4_72
Ennissioui, J., Benghoulam, E. M., & El Rhafiki, T. (2023). Experimental study of a natural convection indirect solar dryer. Heliyon, 9(11), e21299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21299 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21299
Hin, L., Mean, C. M., Kim, M. C., Chhoem, C., Bunthong, B., Lor, L., Sourn, T., & Prasad, P. V. V. (2024). Development and performance assessment of sensor-mounted solar dryer for micro-climatic modeling and optimization of dried fish quality in Cambodia. Clean Technologies, 6(3), 954-972. https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6030048 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6030048
James, P. S., Khatawkar, D. S., Bovas, J. J. L., Prasad, A., & James, A. (2021). A retractable solar dryer to aid self-reliance of homesteads in the post-covid-19 era. Agricultural Engineering Today, 45(2), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.52151/aet2021452.1532 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52151/aet2021452.1532
Jain, R., Paul, A. S., Sharma, D., & Panwar, N. L. (2023). Enhancement in thermal performance of solar dryer through conduction mode for drying of agricultural produces. Energy Nexus, 9, 100182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2023.100182 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2023.100182
Leon, M. A., Kumar, S., & Bhattacharya, S. C. (2002). A comprehensive procedure for performance evaluation of solar food dryers. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 6(4), 367-393. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-0321(02)00005-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-0321(02)00005-9
Mohammed, S., Edna, M., & Siraj, K. (2020). The effect of traditional and improved solar drying methods on the sensory quality and nutritional composition of fruits: A case of mangoes and pineapples. Heliyon, 6(6), e04163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04163 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04163
Mohana, Y., Mohanapriya, R., Anukiruthika, T., Yoha, K. S., Moses, J. A., & Anandharamakrishnan, C. (2020). Solar dryers for food applications: Concepts, designs and recent advances. Solar Energy, 208, 321-344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.07.098 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.07.098
Naniwadekar, M., Walke, S., Mandake, M., Tapre, R., Patil, K., & Komble, S. (2025). A comprehensive study of performance metrices and potato dehydration at various slice thickness using an IoT-based indirect solar dryer: An experimental approach. Solar Energy, 288, 113269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2025.113269 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2025.113269
Nettari, C., Boubekri, A., Benseddik, A., Bouhoun, S., Daoud, D., Badji, A., & Hasrane, I. (2024). Design and performance evaluation of an innovative medium-scale solar dryer with heat recovery based-latent heat storage: Experimental and mathematical analysis of tomato drying. Journal of Energy Storage, 88, 111559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.111559 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.111559
Pandey, S., Kumar, A., & Sharma, A. (2024). Sustainable solar drying: Recent advances in materials, innovative designs, mathematical modeling and energy storage solutions. Energy, 308, 132725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.132725 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.132725
Paradkar, V. D., & Shrinivasa, D. J. (2017). Design and performance evaluation of portable folding type solar dryer for drying of amla candy. International Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 10(2), 537-544. https://doi.org/10.15740/HAS/IJAE/10.2/537-544 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15740/HAS/IJAE/10.2/537-544
Poonia, S., Singh, A. K., & Gaur, J. K. (2024). Performance evaluation and economic analysis of inclined solar dryer for Capsicum annuum L. (Red chilli) drying. Annals of Plant and Soil Research, 26(2), 288-295. https://doi.org/10.47815/apsr.2024.10362 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47815/apsr.2024.10362
Poonia, S., Singh, A. K., & Jain, D. (2018). Mathematical modelling and techno-economic evaluation of hybrid photovoltaic-thermal forced convection solar drying of Indian jujube (Zizyphus mauritiana). Journal of Agricultural Engineering (India), 55(4), 74-88. https://doi.org/10.52151/jae2018554.1671 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52151/jae2018554.1671
Rahman, M. A., Hasnain, S. M. M., Paramasivam, P., Zairov, R., & Ayanie, A. G. (2025). Solar drying for domestic and industrial applications: A comprehensive review of innovations and efficiency enhancements. Global Challenges, 9(2) 2400301. https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400301 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400301
Rana, M. S., Rahman, A. N. M. A., Ahmed, R., Hossain, M. P., Shadman, M. S., Majumdar, P. K., Islam, K. S., & Colton, J. (2024). Design, fabrication and performance evaluation of a food solar dryer. AgriEngineering, 6(4), 4506-4523. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering6040257 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering6040257
Saini, R. K., Saini, D. K., Gupta, R., Verma, P., Thakur, R., Kumar, S., & Wassouf, A. (2023). Technological development in solar dryers from 2016 to 2021-A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 188, 113855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113855 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113855
Salhi, M., Chaatouf, D., Raillani, B., Alam, T., Khargotra, R., Amraqui, S., & Mezrhab, A. (2024). Experimental and numerical investigation of the incorporation of an air temperature controller for indirect solar dryers. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 23, 100658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100658 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100658
Senger, M. K. S., Dewangan, A. K., Dutt, N., & Yadav, A. K. (2024). Research advances in solar dryer technologies integrated with solar air heater: A state-of-the-art review on design variations, performance and feasibility assessments. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 149(22), 12577-12607. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-024-13714-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-024-13714-3
Sharma, A., Chen, C. R., & Vu Lan, N. (2020). Solar-energy drying systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 13(6-7), 1185–1210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2008.08.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2008.08.015
Shimpy, Kumar, M., & Kumar, A. (2023). Performance assessment and modelling techniques for domestic solar dryers. Food Engineering Reviews, 15(3), 525-547. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12393-023-09335-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12393-023-09335-5
Singh, S., Singh, P. P., & Dhaliwal, S. S. (2004). Multi-shelf portable solar dryer. Renewable Energy, 29(5), 753-765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2003.09.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2003.09.010
Tan, D. L. S., & Cinto Jr., B. L. (2014). Fabrication and evaluation of a solar dryer made from twin-wall clear polycarbonate sheets. Annals of Tropical Research, 36(Supplement), 230–239. https://doi.org/10.32945/atr36s16.2014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32945/atr36s16.2014
Tiwari, A. (2016). A review on solar drying of agricultural produce. Journal of Food Processing & Technology, 7(9), 1000623. https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7110.1000623 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7110.1000623
Udomkun, P., Romuli, S., Schock, S., Mahayothee, B., Sartas, M., Wossen, T., Njukwe, E., Vanlauwe, B., & Müller, J. (2020). Review of solar dryers for agricultural products in Asia and Africa: An innovation landscape approach. Journal of Environmental Management, 268, 110730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110730 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110730
