The Design, Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Solar Sustained Batch Type Maize Dryer for Value Addition

Abstract

Drying is the taking away of water from agricultural product thus at the same time provide extended period of shelf life. In this study, an innovative solar sustained maize dryer along with screw conveyor for unloading the grain and central air perforated duct (throughout aeration chamber length) has been developed. High drying rate was achieved due to central air distribution model of the dryer during the drying process. Using 758-kg of freshly harvested maize at moisture content 24% (wet basis), dryer was evaluated. The average aeration rate of the solar sustained maize dryer was 3.67 kilogram per hour. 60% saving in drying time was also achieved by using the solar sustained maize dryer. From 24% to 13% moisture content for drying the whole maize, solar sustained maize dryer took 27 hours. It is economical and environment friendly drying method. Cost analysis was also done and it was found by using this drying method, at very low cost we can dehydrated better quality maize. At community level, marketable size of the solar sustained maize dryer can be better and formed for revolution of agriculture in the country-side areas.