Design and Construction of Cabinet Solar Dryers
H. U. Emelue *
Department of Physics, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri, Nigeria.
N. Omehe
Department of Physics, Federal University Otuoke Bayelsa, Nigeria
P. Oghome
Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology P.M.B. 1526 Owerri, Nigeria
K. Amanze
Department of Chemistry, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Two domestic solar dryers were designed and tested in Abraka, Delta State of Nigeria. One has a mirror reflector to concentrate sun – light energy into the dryer while other has no reflector. The dryer ovens were subjected to a number of experimental tests by drying/cooking six different food items in them. The analysis of the results obtained, showed that the temperature and the rate of drying in the oven with reflector were higher than the one without reflector. The temperature and the rate of drying were higher in both ovens compared to the open – air drying. The total power obtained using the oven with reflector was 350.00W, while the oven without reflector gave 330.56W and the open air – drying recorded 233.15W. These could act as an alternative dryer to the conventional open air-drying and cooking for rural farmers in Nigeria and other tropical countries with similar circumstances.
Keywords: Oven, reflector, solar energy, food items, ambient temperature