Developmental Trend of Hybrid Solar Dryer: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present a review on hybrid solar dryer and its modification for further research. Energy is not evenly distributed in the world, developed countries have more than enough while developing countries are facing it inadequacy. Rural areas where agricultural activities are taking place largely have no access to power supply to power drying equipment. Large amount of farm produce of about 30% were damaged due to lack of drying facilities. This has been resolved with the application of evolution of solar dryer and to a better level, use of hybrid solar dryer of exponential value over open air sun drying. It was found that the drying efficiency of hybrid solar dryer was 35%, while the maximum drying temperature was 80oC. Retention time in drying chamber was found to be between 2 – 3 days, it indicate the sustainability of hybrid solar dryer for drying high moisture farm produce. Various design of solar dryer and hybrid solar dryer were reported in the literature thus for is presented. Hybrid solar dryer could be developed further with the inclusion of dehumidifier as a system aiding drying.