Integrated Use of Solar Energy for Crop Drying

Abstract

Various factors such as energy efficiency, the quality of end-products, and environmental aspects have to be taken into account during the drying of agricultural produce. During the recent past, several new approaches for the application of solar dryers to drying various biological materials were developed. In this paper, the background of solar drying, current solar drying practices, and drying of biological products such as grain, fruit, vegetables, hay, etc., are discussed. Additionally, an integrated energy/technology approach in order to maximize solar energy usage and thereby meet the drying requirements has been introduced. This will aid in achieving a sophisticated solution for drying process control, as well.

Keywords:

• Control
• Fruits
• Hay
• Modular system
• Solar drying
• Vegetables

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The research was supported/subsidized by the TÁMOP-4.2.2.B-10/1-2010-0011 “Development of a complex educational assistance/support system for talented students and prospective researchers at the Szent István University” project.