The design, fabrication and performance evaluation of solar sustained batch type maize dryer for valuation addition

Abstract

Drying is the taking away of water from agricultural product thus at the same time provide extended period of shelf life. Inthis study, an innovative solar sustained maize dryer along with screw conveyor for unloading the grain and central airperforated duct (throughout aeration chamber length) has been developed. High drying rate was achieved due to centralair distribution model of the dryer during the drying process. Using 758-kg of freshly harvested maize at moisture content24% (wet basis), dryer was evaluated. The average aeration rate of the solar sustained maize dryer was 3.67 kilogram perhour. 60% saving in drying time was also achieved by using the solar sustained maize dryer. From 24% to 13% moisturecontent for drying the whole maize, solar sustained maize dryer took 27 hours. It is economical and environment friendlydrying method. Cost analysis was also done and it was found by using this drying method, at very low cost we candehydrated better quality maize. At community level, marketable size of the solar sustained maize dryer can be better andformed for revolution of agriculture in the country-side areas.