Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Development of Low-Cost Sustainable Hybrid Solar Dryer for Food Preservation: A Panacea for Sustainable Development in Engineering and Technology in Africa
by Adefemi O. Adeodu

Abstract:
Engineering and technology is cardinal to sustainable development. It�s very peremptory for any developing nation yearning for sustainability and thriving economy to build indigenous capacity as a driving force for technological breakthrough in major sectors. In a developing country like Nigeria, having the largest population in Africa and agriculture as one of the sources of income to nearly 60 % of the total population, post-harvest and storage loss is a major dilemma, which needs to be looked into in due diligence. The major challenge of total dependant on fossil fuel resources by these technologies, which are depleting very fast and wise use of these precious resources are preferred for long-term energy sustainability. This paper presents a development of low-cost hybrid solar dryer for food preservation with the objectives of estimating the percentage moisture uptake at the end of the drying process. Different levels of drying were reviewed up to the use of solar drying technology for value addition of agricultural products. The results of the performance evaluation of the dryer show that 150 Kg cassava mesh and 5000 g of tomato with 35% and 94% moisture content, respectively were dried to 100Kg and 334 g with 10% moisture level for 4 hours and 11 hours respectively, for cassava and tomato. Therefore, sustainable methods for food preservation are the need of the moment. This paper explains the socio-economic, environmental and safety benefits of the solar drying to developing nations.

Keywords: post-harvesting, raised platform, sustainability, socio-economic, solar drying

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