Development of a portable solar food dehydrator
Abstract
Abstract: The present study was conducted in order to design and test a portable solar food dehydrator for drying apricots. Furthermore, in comparison with an electric dehydrator, the solar dryer is in the pyramid shaped that consists of a wooden base, a filter to purify the air inside the dryer, iron barriers to fix 4 gray transparent Lyxan polycarbonate with a Food grade gray silicon frame to absorb heat, double-wall made of transparent Lyxan polycarbonate with black thermal insulation that placed in between a wooden head fixed to it. From above carrying a fan with a solar cell to operate the fan during the day. On the sides of the dryer there are two ventilation openings with a filter to purify the air inside the dryer and two food trays with a wooden frame encasing black perforated plastic polypropylene, that can withstand high temperature and is safe for food. It does not react nor stick to dried food, a black solar collector and a thermal light provide heat during the night and the thermostat to control temperature to 57o C inside the dryer, and 150Watt generator for powering the heat source charged by a 100Watt Solar cell.
