AUTOMATED MEASUREMENT AND SYSTEM DATA LOGGER FOR CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF SLICED BANANA FRUIT DURING DRYING PROCESS BY A SOLAR HOT- AIR DRYER

Abstract

The aim of this work is developing and evaluating an automated measurement and system datalogger for continuous monitoring of solar hot air drier for natural convection solar cabinet drier. Measurements includes monitoring of drying process for sliced Banana (Musa acuminata) relation to weather parameters such as ambient air temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity which ensures precise measurements and reproduction of experiments. An electronic measurement system was used for measurement of temperature, humidity, air speed, a solar intensity. A programmable microcontroller ship and code were used to control measurement, timing, and data storage twenty-four hours/day. All measurements data was collected and saved in storage memory card. Results showed that the solar drier drying rate achieved (-0.018gH2O/g dm.h), while the drying rate with mean of electrical thermal drier were (-0.956 018gH2O/gdm.h) at 105°C, (-0.552 018gH2O/g dm.h) at 70°C and (-0.513 018gH2O/gdm.h) at 50°C. The electronic measurement - datalogging system was able to give an accurate measurement and assessment to the drying system and process. It was found that air leakage from the system and poor insulation inhibit the airflow over the solar absorber plate and drying chamber causing thermal leakage form the bottom and drier sides. It was recommended to supply the solar drier with an air fan, seal the drying air leakage, and air-lock at the entrance to control airflow as well as the temperature of the drying process.