Optimizing solar dryer design: A multicriteria decision making approach for hybrid systems

Abstract

Solar dryers are a sustainable and efficient alternative for preserving agricultural products, offering numerous benefits for both the environment and the agro-industrial sector's economy. The objective is to develop a decisionmaking methodology based on environmental, economic, and social criteria, allowing the acquisition of data for the design of solar dryers using alternative energy sources to achieve the hybridization of one or more energy sources. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology is based on breaking down a complex problem into a series of simple and manageable problems. This methodology evaluated alternatives based on different criteria and factors to consider. The AHP methodology was divided into three stages: the first was to define the problem to be solved, the second was to determine the criteria, and the third was to analyze the possible alternatives. This research provided information for the design of a solar coffee dryer in San Antonio el Porvenir, Chiapas. The solar dryer's design was based on criteria proposed by the producers, such as ease of repair, the product not being in contact with the ground, and ensuring safe operation due to the presence of children and women near the drying process.