Food dehydration using an indirect solar dryer: an energy capacity study in the city of Cachoeira do Sul – RS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5902/2965694X91970Keywords:
Solar energy, Food dehydrator, Family farmingAbstract
Recognized for its sustainability and adaptability, solar energy presents itself as an essential energy alternative, with diverse applications, notably in food dehydration. Solar dryers accomplish this process by converting solar radiation into heat, facilitating the controlled removal of moisture from agricultural products. This paper presents a case study to quantify the energy capacity of an indirect solar dryer, aiming to meet the demands of family farming. The analyses were conducted using specific climatic data from the city of Cachoeira do Sul - RS, physical characteristics of three distinct foods, and the measurements of a pre-existing dryer. The results revealed that the analyzed dryer can absorb approximately 1.71 MJ of energy during periods of highest annual solar incidence and 0.66 MJ during periods of lower intensity. In practical terms, this energy capacity suggests the possibility of dehydrating approximately 1.0 kg and 0.4 kg of food under conditions of high and low irradiation, demonstrating the potential of this technology for family farming.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Charles Rech, André Francisco Caldeira, Cristiano Frandalozo Maidana, Martin Hideki Mensch Maruyama, Simone Ferigolo Venturini
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