Güneş enerjili tünel tipi kurutucu ile elmanın kuruma davranışlarının belirlenmesi için bir deneysel çalışma

Abstract

Using solar tunnel dryer, the thin-layer solar drying experiments of apple were carried out under the conditions of Ankara, Turkey. During the experiments, apples were dried to the final moisture content of 11 from 82% w.b. in 1.5 days of drying in the solar tunnel dryer as compared to 2 days of drying in the open sun drying. The experimental drying data of apple slices obtained were used to fit the Page, logarithmic and Wang and Singh models, and constants of drying models tested were determined by non-linear regression analysis. Among the various models tested to represent the solar tunnel drying behaviour of organic apple, one was selected which presented best statistical indicators. Samples dried in the solar tunnel dryer were completely protected from insects, rain and dusts and the dried samples were of high quality in terms of colour and hygienic. Since this system is simple in construction and can be constructed at a low cost with locally obtainable materials, it has been successfully used for drying various agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits by growers in Ankara.