Solar Dryers for Food

Solar Dryers for Food | Drying food has been a challenge to many Kenyan farmers due to inefficient drying methods.

Aqua Hub Kenya LTD is a solar dryer architect and material supplier. We deal in quality solar dryer structures at prices within your pocket budget.

Goals of Solar drying food

To increase the storage time
Preventing growth of microbes or bacteria
Insect prevention
Preserving seed viability
Preventing food contamination

Important Features of food Solar Dryers

Solar dryers have made it easier and more convenient to dry food with its additional features.
These features include;

Metal/ Wooden structure – To hold/house the solar dryer polythene/protection sheet. The wooden or metallic structure makes up the solar dryer.
Transparent Polythene sheet – A transparent polythene sheet that allows sunlight to penetrate through the structure.
Solar absorber and converter – Solar panels that collect the sun’s energy.
Heat storage batteries – Stores solar energy.
Radiator – Heats the air inside the solar dryer.
Ventilators – Allows air exchange, where cold air enters and at the same time hot moist air exits.
Fan – Directs air inside the dryer.
Shelves – Provides surfaces for drying food. Food products to dry are kept on the shelves inside the solar dryer. Shelves consist of mesh materials to allow air circulation.

These features make it easier for optimum heat and air build up to be attained thus moisture can be eliminated from crops.

How Solar Dryer Works (Drying Process)

Solar dryers use the energy of the sun to heat the air that flows over the food in the dryer. As air is heated, its relative humidity decreases, and it is able to hold more moisture. Warm, dry air flowing through the dryer carries away the moisture that evaporates from the surfaces of the food.

What you Should Consider when Building Solar Dryers

Simple solar dryers in Kenya solely depends on the sun’s radiation to dehydrate food. The place to build a solar dryer is very important to consider for attaining high working efficiency.

The factors to consider when choosing the location are:

The layout or design of the solar dryer – The solar dryer should be built in a shape that maximizes the sunlight radiation.
The climate of the area – Solar dryers are highly effective in places of high sunlight.
Presence of trees – Areas with a lot of trees are not good for solar dryers. Trees form shades which is a problem in drying food.
Soil type – The soil structure of an area should have a good drainage to avoid water logging.
Topography – The land should be flat and less hilly or slopy for stability of the dryer.
Wind – Areas of high wind effect are not good for solar dryers. Small dryers can withstand wind damage in such areas.

Advantages of Solar Drying Food

They also are faster, safer, and more efficient than traditional sun drying techniques.
An enclosed cabinet-style solar dryer can produce high quality, dried foodstuffs in humid climates as well as arid climates.
It can also reduce the problem of-contamination while also conserving non-renewable sources of energy.
Fruits and vegetables maintain their nutritional level.