Hybrid Solar Dryer by Trees That Feed Foundation

[@utedirisinghe3946]

This is an excellent idea for solar air dryer I have seen so far. Simple but very good and clear presentation. Thank you.

[@himatsinghdhillon6889]

This is probably the best possible solar air dryer I have seen so far. The design is so beautiful and innovative that there is zero exposure of the job to UV rays. Hence, the color, nutrients and aroma is likely to remain absolutely unaffected. However temperature control in such design is a prerequisite particularly for drying the green leaves which probably can be controlled with suitable exhaust fans. For example moringa leaves are to be dried at a temp of 50-55 degree Celsius

[@sedley2567]

The sheet metal that gets hot is galvanized corrugated steel sheets painted with black heat resistant paint. The corrugations provide more surface area for heat transfer to the air passing above and below.

[@christophergodfrey4939]

This is an excellent idea especially for developing countries where there is sometimes an excess of fruit.

[@rafiyathzubair2636]

Very useful video... Simple explanation... Thank you very much

[@TreesThatFeed]

Trees That Feed Foundation, working with local partners, has built 16 of these and they are in regular use by groups in Haiti and Jamaica

[@LeWizardous]

How do you dimension the tray size? Do you any documentation and the thoughts behind this design? Where can I see the calculations you made to develop the hybrid dryer?

[@TreesThatFeed]

There is much more information here: www.treesthatfeed.org/programs/education/resources/solardryer/ Thanks for your interest!

[@himatsinghdhillon6889]

This is an excellent innovative design. I think that food value, color, and fragrance are likely to be retained at the original level as there is zero direct exposure to the Sun rays. What should be the material of black metal sheets that absorb heat, all other surfaces meant for reflecting heat and food trays from food safety point of view ? How does it control temperature at 50-55 degrees Celsius? I think the provision of two or more exaust fans would be necessary. Anyway, this appears to be the most impressive design I have seen till today

[@ashwinpatel7410]

What is the maximum temperature reached in the chambers, from bottom to top, if you please.

[@TreesThatFeed]

This design raises ambient temperature by approximately 40 - 50 degrees Fahrenheit. So if the external air temperature is 80, inside the cabinet will be 125 - 130.

[@dr.ritakhathir8688]

Sir, what is the material used for the tray? thank you

[@sedley2567]

For the tray for holding food, we recommend perforated aluminum trays. Standard Half-size. Six trays that size will fit on each shelf in the dryer, Good luck!

[@vaishnavidhule4131]

Is this much different from solar dryer?

[@TreesThatFeed]

This is a solar dryer--it's called a hybrid because it can also use an additional heat source such as a camp stove or electric heater in the lower cabinet.

[@shauncodd7929]

Can this be used to dry copra?

[@sedley2567]

I’m sure it will dry copra although we’ve never tested with Copts. So, not sure how fast it would work.

[@Samsinnify]

what is the material covering the dryer?

[@TreesThatFeed]

The dryer is built on a metal frame covered in galvanized metal sheets. The top of each solar collector is clear plastic. Acrylic sheets work well ... infrared (heat) radiation comes through to heat up the metal inside, while the heated air funnels up into the lower cabinet. More details on the website page.

[@TreesThatFeed]

The clear plastic material covering the solar collectors is acrylic or other clear plastic, 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Preferably UV resistant.