Small Capacity Mobile Dryers for Drying Biological Materials

Abstract

Creation of the universal technology and solution for drying of biological materials is almost impossible since various materials are concerned and various parts of plants are dried (root, stem, flower, bloom, seed, and fruit). Three original designs of devices for drying of biological materials have been developed. First, there are two types of mobile solar dryers for drying various biological materials by direct and combined use of solar energy, a design with the direct use of solar energy, solar air collector, and photovoltage system, and a design with combined use of solar energy, solar air collector, and wind motor. The procedure for dimensioning some basic elements of the dryer has been presented, and the analysis is given showing how the parameters of materials being dried, the collector construction, and climatic, and weather conditions influence the efficiency of the collector active surface. Having considered the advantages of radiation drying as well as the reasons for its limited application, a design concept of a mobile radiation dryer for drying biological materials at atmospheric pressure is given. Furthermore, optimization of operation modes and construction parameters of the proposed mobile dryer design is provided, with respect to the analysis showing how radiation source and characteristics of material being dried influence the drying rate and dried material quality.