Show simple item record

dc.contributor.authorAhumuza, A.
dc.contributor.authorZziwa, A.
dc.contributor.authorKambugu, R.
dc.contributor.authorKomakech, A.J.
dc.contributor.authorKiggundu, N.
dc.date.accessioned2017-11-12T23:05:04Z
dc.date.available2017-11-12T23:05:04Z
dc.date.issued2016-08
dc.identifier.citationAhumuza, A., Zziwa, A., Kambugu, R., Komakech, A.J., Kiggundu, N. (2016). Design and simulation of an integrated solar cooker - dryer system. RUFORUM Working Document Series, 14 (2): 1075 - 1084en_US
dc.identifier.issn1607-9345
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10570/5786
dc.description.abstractSeveral solar drying technologies exist in Uganda, but marred with multiple deficiencies such as inefficient conversion of trapped solar radiations into thermal energy, prolonged drying times, among others. The aim of this study was to design and simulate an integrated solar cooker-dryer system with a simple biomass cooker using locally available technology and materials. The major component of this study entailed an assessment of existing solar drying technologies. Through purposive sampling, four existing dryers were assessed to gather information that guided the development of a better drying technology. The results from performance evaluation of the existing solar dryers showed a substantial drop in ascorbic acid content by about 27.9 mg/100g of pineapple (Ananas comosus) dried in natural convection drying and 14.5 mg/100 g during forced air drying. It showed that the natural convection solar mode of operation was slowest in drying the samples, with the solar forced air mode being fastest under the prevailing meteorological conditions (which were generally unfavorable from November through to December). The results showed a considerable advantage of forced air solar dryer over the natural convection solar dryer in terms of drying rate and reduced risk of spoilage. In view of alleviating the weather restriction experienced by farmers in crop drying especially for pineapples, it is recommended that dryers be designed with backup cooker for supplementing the solar energy and enhancing airflow to increase the drying air temperature. This results into increase in the drying rate and reduced spoilage. Using performance results as boundary conditions, the temperature distribution of the airflow inside the dryer was visualized using OpenFOAM CFD. Uniform temperature distribution was achieved as a result of forced air system and incorporation of a biomass cooker.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipRUFORUMen_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherRUFORUMen_US
dc.subjectAnanas comosusen_US
dc.subjectBiomass cookeren_US
dc.subjectPostharvest handlingen_US
dc.subjectSolar dryeren_US
dc.subjectTurbo ventilatorsen_US
dc.subjectValue additionen_US
dc.subjectFood insecurityen_US
dc.subjectFruit dryingen_US
dc.titleDesign and simulation of an integrated solar cooker - dryer systemen_US
dc.typeConference proceedingsen_US


Files in this item

Thumbnail

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record