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Experimental Investigation of Solar Drying of Fish Using Tunnel Drier

B. K. Bala
Dep. of Farm Power & Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

M. D. Hossain
Dep. of Farm Power & Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was conducted to investigate the performance of the solar tunnel drier for drying of fish under Bangladesh conditions. The drier consists of a transparent plastic covered flat plate collector and a drying tunnel. The drier is arranged to supply hot air directly into the drying tunnel using two d c. fans. powered by a 40 watt solar module. Four sets of Experimental runs were performed and four species of fish were dried. The temperature of drying air in the collector outlet varied from 31⁰C to 49.4⁰C during drying and the fish could be dried within 1.75-3 days in the tunnel drier as compared to 2.0-3.75 days needed for natural sun drying. In addition, the fish being dried in the solar tunnel drier were completely protected from rain, insects and dust and the dried fish were of high quality.

Keywords: Solar radiation, Transparent plastic, Flat plate colector, Forced convection, Solar drying

Location: Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

Start Date: 01-04-1997

End Date: 30-05-1997

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Drier

Objectives:

To investigate the performance of the solar tunnel drier for drying fish under Bangladesh conditions.

Methodology:

Solar tunnel drier: The drier essentially consists of a flat plate collector, a tunnel drying unit and a small fan to provide the required air flow over the product to be dried. these are connected in series as shown. Both the collector and the drying unit are covered with a transparent UV resistant plastic sheet. Black paint cab be used as an absorber in the collector. The products to be dried are placed in a this layer on a wire mesh in the tunnel drier. The whole system is placed horizontally on the ground. The air at required flow rate is provided by two d. c. fans operated by one photovoltaic module. To prevent the entry of water inside drier unit during rain, the cover foil is fixed like a sloping roof as shown.Experimental Procedure: The solar tunnel drier was installed at the yard of the workshop of the Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Bangladesh. The drier was placed on the brick floor under open sky and it was not shaded by trees or building during 8.0 am to 4.0 pm. The tests on solar drying of fish were carried out in the month of April and May, 1997.Important parameters affecting the performance of the drier were measured K-type thermocouple was used to measure the drying air temperature along the flow direction of the air inside the drier and a pyranometer was used to measure the global radiation at the inlet of the drier. Relative humidity and temperature of the ambient air were measured with a digital thermometer and relative humidity meter. Velocity of drying air was measured with an anemometer at the outlet of the drier. Weight loss of the product during drying period was also measured with an electronic balance. The sun dried control samples were weighed as well. All these data were recorded at one hour interval. The moisture contents of the fish were measured by air oven method at the starting and end of each run of experiments.

Source of Information:

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Test of the solar tunnel drier demonstrated the potentiality of the solar tunnel drier for drying of fish in Bangladesh. This drier is simple in construction and it can be constructed using locally available materials by the local craftsman. The solar tunnel drier can be operated by a photovoltaic module independent of electrical grid. The photovoltaic system has the advantage that the temperature of the drying air is automatically controlled by the solar radiation radiation indirectly through regulation of PV operated fan and thus air flow rate.

Knowledge Management: Journal