Study of Experimental Performance of an Indirect Solar Dryer for Drying Yam Peels in Aliero, Nigeria

Abstract

The solar drying system utilizes solar energy to heat up air and to dry any food substance loaded, which is beneficial in reducing wastage of agricultural product and helps in preservation of agricultural product. The dryer is composed of solar collector (air heater) and a solar drying chamber. The air allowed in through air inlet is heated up in the solar collector and channeled through the drying chamber where it is utilized in drying. The dimensions of the dryer is 460cm x 60cm x 100cm (length x width x height). Locally available material were used for the construction, chiefly comprising of wood, glass, aluminum metal sheet and the black paint was applied to it to increase the intensity of heat. The optimum temperature of the dryer is 50.50°C with a corresponding ambient temperature of 34.50°C. The moisture content removal of 43.2% in yam peels using the solar dryer was achieved as against 28.2% using the sun drying method which gives the difference of 15.0%, the rapid rate of drying in the dryer reveals its ability to dry food items reasonable rapidly to a safe moisture.