DESIGN, FABRICATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF ROTARY TRAY SOLAR DRYER

The objectives of the study were to determine the performance of the rotary-tray solar dyer in terms of drying temperature, drying time, and drying rate. Based on the results, the fabricated dryer had a drying time of 9.11 hours, drying rate of 1.37 g/hr, and drying temperature of 44.67 °C when trays were rotated at 90° per hour. The rotation was found to have no significant influence on the performance of the newly-constructed solar dryer in terms of producing uniform quality sun-dried products, however, it affects the drying time and drying rate. Comparing the drying performance of rotary-tray solar dryers to sun drying, the drying time was shorter and the drying rate was faster at nine hours of drying in the fabricated dryer. In view of these results, it is advisable to rotate the dryer 90° per hour for shorter drying time and recommended low specifications of air flow to prolong the circulation of air and increase heat inside the dryer.