462
S. K. Agarwal
solar air dryer’ successfully tested in the field. The hot air, with moisture content
in the cabinet, is exhausted continuously by solar fan operated by the solar photoelectric power. This phenomenon introduces forced circulation in the cabinet, resulting in high efficiency of the dryer. The source of thermal energy required for drying
and for supply of photovoltaic power are from solar radiation during the day. In
this innovative technology product, a close synchronization is maintained in regulating and controlling the drying process between evaporation of moisture from the
product and speed of the exhaust fan. This regulates solar power to the fan through
drying process with variable solar intensity during the day. The new solar-powered
solar cabinet dryer is found to be effective product in food processing technology,
especially in dehydration processes. Variety of dryers of different scale have been
developed by SEED which have shown immense potential especially in dehydration process of fruits and vegetables for value addition of products at the farmers’
level and preservation with long shelf life. Thus, eco-friendly technology product and
package developed by SEED for quality drying having a payback period of 4–5 years
can led to establishment of micro-enterprises, and creation of employment opportunities for youth and women groups (Box 1). Considering that only less than 5% of
the total production in the country at present is being processed, introduction of such
Technology details
Technology Package
Product produced Fruit Bars/Jelly
Raw material used Fruit Pulp, Preservaves
Salient features
High retenon of micro nutrients,
moderate & even drying, Clean and
hygienic end product without
contaminaon
Value addion, High shelf life, Solar
dehydraon processing with zero energy
cost
Advantages:
Social/ecological
/economic
Reducon of post harvesng losses of
fruits & vegetables.
Useful for SHG’s and rural microenterprise
Sustainable Income, Eco-friendly & Zero
carbon emission
Energy used
Solar Energy – Zero energy cost
Jobs potenal
5 – 10 entrepreneurs
Investment
Ranging between Rs. 8 – 11 lakhs
Payback period
Around 4 – 5 years
Ini Start Up trials & Outreach:
• Solar cabinet dryers (SDM-50 Model):
Innovave and novel technology
• Being used on a commercial scale by some
micro-enterprises in AP
• Special model of drier also developed for
Himalayan fruits processing and being
adopted in Uarakhnad.
• Technology flow – high
Box 1 Solar cabinet dryer—fruit and vegetable processing technology developed by SEED,
Hyderabad
S. K. Agarwal
solar air dryer’ successfully tested in the field. The hot air, with moisture content
in the cabinet, is exhausted continuously by solar fan operated by the solar photoelectric power. This phenomenon introduces forced circulation in the cabinet, resulting in high efficiency of the dryer. The source of thermal energy required for drying
and for supply of photovoltaic power are from solar radiation during the day. In
this innovative technology product, a close synchronization is maintained in regulating and controlling the drying process between evaporation of moisture from the
product and speed of the exhaust fan. This regulates solar power to the fan through
drying process with variable solar intensity during the day. The new solar-powered
solar cabinet dryer is found to be effective product in food processing technology,
especially in dehydration processes. Variety of dryers of different scale have been
developed by SEED which have shown immense potential especially in dehydration process of fruits and vegetables for value addition of products at the farmers’
level and preservation with long shelf life. Thus, eco-friendly technology product and
package developed by SEED for quality drying having a payback period of 4–5 years
can led to establishment of micro-enterprises, and creation of employment opportunities for youth and women groups (Box 1). Considering that only less than 5% of
the total production in the country at present is being processed, introduction of such
Technology details
Technology Package
Product produced Fruit Bars/Jelly
Raw material used Fruit Pulp, Preservaves
Salient features
High retenon of micro nutrients,
moderate & even drying, Clean and
hygienic end product without
contaminaon
Value addion, High shelf life, Solar
dehydraon processing with zero energy
cost
Advantages:
Social/ecological
/economic
Reducon of post harvesng losses of
fruits & vegetables.
Useful for SHG’s and rural microenterprise
Sustainable Income, Eco-friendly & Zero
carbon emission
Energy used
Solar Energy – Zero energy cost
Jobs potenal
5 – 10 entrepreneurs
Investment
Ranging between Rs. 8 – 11 lakhs
Payback period
Around 4 – 5 years
Ini Start Up trials & Outreach:
• Solar cabinet dryers (SDM-50 Model):
Innovave and novel technology
• Being used on a commercial scale by some
micro-enterprises in AP
• Special model of drier also developed for
Himalayan fruits processing and being
adopted in Uarakhnad.
• Technology flow – high
Box 1 Solar cabinet dryer—fruit and vegetable processing technology developed by SEED,
Hyderabad