Desenvolvimento experimental de um secador solar de frutas com aproveitamento multienergético.

Abstract

This work presents an experimental study development of a drying system directed to the production of dehydrated fruit, with use of solar energy, in the use of two forms of this energy, photothermal solar energy and photovoltaic solar energy, which is an alternative to dryers commercial currently exist that use electricity. In multi energy system, the photothermal solar energy is used to heat the room air which is the working fluid in the solar collector, while the photovoltaic solar energy was used to ensure the flow of this fluid in the drying chamber. For tests with the dryer, was chosen the pineapple, which has high moisture content and is highly perishable, and that also stands out for the high demand and profitability in the agricultural scenario of fruit. The design of the work is presented as the drying process takes place and what equipment used to perform this technique, as well as the forms of energy used. All materials used are inexpensive and easily found in region. The experimental tests were conducted in the cities of Campina Grande and ducks, both in the state of Paraíba, during the spring and summer of 2014. Are shown the results obtained in five tests which allowed obtaining the drying curves for each experiment and calculating the efficiency of the equipment and the efficiency of the drying process. The results showed that the system developed and tested experimentally in the dehydrated pineapple production worked. These results were compared with values already reported in the literature and shown to be sufficient to produce a final product of high quality final with moisture content in the range of 20% to 24%. The temperature efficiency in the equipment was 36%, while the average drying process efficiency was 95%. With the analysis of the results, it was proved the functional and constructive operation of multienergético drying system developed, which contributes to promoting sustainable development because it uses as an energy source of solar energy only.