Performance evaluation of NSPRI parabolic solar dryer for drying of bell pepper

Kamaldeen O. S 1, * and Okedokun O. W 2

1 Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Kano Station, Nigeria.
2 Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
GSC Advanced Engineering and Technology, 2022, 04(02), 025–031.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscaet.2022.4.2.0055
Publication history: 
Received on 04 September 2022; revised on 11 October 2021; accepted on 14 October 2022
 
Abstract: 
Parabolic solar dryer developed by Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute was used to dry bell pepper. The drying rate, color changes and drying kinetics using some empirical modelling equations were determined. Open sun drying method was used as a control. Drying rate (2.11 kg/day) of the parabolic solar dryer was significantly higher than that of the sun drying (1.92 kg/day). Bell peppers dried under parabolic dryer retained their color better than those peppers under sun drying. Page model is the most suitable model to describe the drying kinetics of the bell pepper under solar drying. The drying constant k (0.607) of the parabolic dryer is significantly higher than that of the sun drying (0.321) indicating higher mass transfer in the parabolic solar dryer.
 
Keywords: 
Bell pepper; Parabolic dryer; Drying rate; Modelling
 
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