Design And Implementation of Low-Cost Solar Dryer For Sun-Dried Guava Production

Abstract

Crystal guava (Psidium guajava) is a commodity that is widely cultivated in Kebumen. Innovation is needed to increase its selling value, one of which is by producing dried guava. The production of dried guava can be achieved using a solar dryer. In this research, the design and testing of a low-cost solar dryer for producing dried guava were conducted. The main materials used were wood, aluminum pipes, aluminum foil as solar collectors, and solar panels to supply power to DC fans, thus enhancing drying efficiency. The energy analysis revealed that the average collector efficiency, drying efficiency, and specific energy consumption were 73%, 8.84%, and 0.182 kWh/kg, respectively, for the forced convection solar dryer (FCSD), and 42%, 4.61%, and 0.236 kWh/kg, respectively, for the natural convection solar dryer (NCSD). Moreover, in this research, the moisture content of guava, initially at 85%, decreased to 10.73% for FCSD and 25.05% for NCSD. The payback period for this project is estimated to be 1.79 years, enabling guava farmers to use this solar dryer to enhance the selling value of their products.