Sistema de secado solar para frutos tropicales

Abstract

The construction of a solar dryer is presented in this work. Experimental runs for the drying of tropical fruits were performed and a simplified model of the drying process. A data acquisition system was used and the drying temperature was controlled by means of an air stream heated by a simultaneous process of forced convection and solar radiation. The system also included electric resistances, for emergency situations. Drying experiments were performed with banana slabs, monitoring their weight and water content as a function of time. A simplified mathematical model was developed considering only the mass transfer equation, estimating the water diffusivity on the fruits. The values of these diffusivities are in agreement with other values reported in the literature, so they can be used in a preliminary design of solar dryer. The system studied provides a way of calculating the amount of water to be evaporated in the dryer at a particular mean temperature, the work power to be supplied and the required drying time.