Design and performance studies of a solar dryer suitable for rural applications

Abstract This research paper is aimed at investigating means for food preservation using processes suitable for implementation in rural areas, where energy resources are scarce. Bearing in mind the low cost of capital investment and utilization possibilities, mainly agricultural drying, we have fabricated different types of solar dryers. Air flow in the drying system is by natural convection. The performance of the various types of solar dryers, along with a preliminary heat transfer analysis, is presented.