Optimization of the floating-type seaweed dryer

A floating-type solar dryer was designed and fabricated in order to answer the need for a faster and more efficient drying of seaweeds. Based on the results of the several field tests conducted, the developed seaweed dryer was capable of producing good quality dried seaweed products at a shorter drying time as compared to the traditional solar drying methods employed by seaweed farmers. The developed seaweed dryer was likewise proven to be highly adaptable to varying weather conditions. However, like most solar-type dryers, the performance of the fabricated seaweed dryer is greatly affected by weather variations. On a good sunny day, short drying time is expected unlike in cloudy or rainy weather conditions and even during nighttime where air drying can be done, the longer drying period is anticipated. Due to the different drying environments, the optimal dryer settings both for the daytime and cloudy or nighttime conditions must be determined. The optimization study conducted focused on the effects of varying the air inlet of the dryer by opening the foldable sidings to different height levels and the timely operation of exhaust fans in maximizing the combined effect of solar and air drying. An eight-hour drying test was conducted to determine the amount of moisture removed from the seaweed samples which was measured at 30 min interval. The analysis revealed that fully-opened sidings without running exhaust fans setting resulted in the highest moisture reduction in nighttime conditions. On the other hand, the sidings which were opened one-fourth from the bottom without running exhaust fans and sidings half-opened with running exhaust fans settings yielded the highest moisture reduction in daytime condition. In addition, no significant interaction was found between the level of sidings height openings and the operation of the exhaust fans during the nighttime condition. Conversely, there was a significant interaction between the level of sidings height openings and the operation of exhaust fans during the daytime condition.