The Design, Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Solar Sustained Batch Type Maize Dryer for Value Addition
2018
Fraz Ahmad Khan (University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan)
Drying is the taking away of waterfrom agricultural product thus at the same time provide extended period ofshelf life. In this study, an innovative solar sustained maize dryer along withscrew conveyor for unloading the grain and central air perforated duct(throughout aeration chamber length) has been developed. High drying rate wasachieved due to central air distribution model of the dryer during the dryingprocess. Using 758-kg of freshly harvested maize at moisture content 24% (wet basis),dryer was evaluated. The average aeration rate of the solar sustained maizedryer was 3.67 kilogram per hour. 60% saving in drying time was also achieved byusing the solar sustained maize dryer. From 24% to 13% moisture content fordrying the whole maize, solar sustained maize dryer took 27 hours. It iseconomical and environment friendly drying method. Cost analysis was also doneand it was found by using this drying method, at very low cost we candehydrated better quality maize. At community level, marketable size of thesolar sustained maize dryer can be better and formed for revolution ofagriculture in the country-side areas.
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