Studies on drying characteristics and techno-economic analysis of sprouted moth beans (Vigna aconitifolia) in solar tunnel dryer

Abstract

A commercial solar tunnel dryer (STD) was evaluated for drying of sprouted moth beans and also its techno-economic analysis was carried out. The maximum temperature 58ºC was recorded at 13:00h in STD during the drying process i.e. 41.0% (34.2ºC) higher than the maximum ambient temperature at the same time. A total drying time of 13:50h were required in STD to reduce the initial moisture content from 177.7% dry basis (d.b) to a final moisture content of 16.6% (d.b). However, the open sun drying took 16.5 drying hours to obtain desired moisture content. The net present worth and cost-benefit ratio of dryer was Rs.5,83,910.68/- and 1.19, respectively. However, the payback period for STD was 15 month 8 days. The cost economics of dried products were proved better for STD than open sun drying method. STD samples were found to be of good quality in terms of color, taste and aroma as compared to open sun dried (OSD) with an overall drying efficiency of STD was 19.7%. Therefore, the evaluated solar tunnel dryer were recommended for the drying of sprouted moth beans.