Design analysis of an innovative solar biomass hybrid dryer for drying turmeric

Food loss and spoilage often occur due to inefficient preservation techniques and infrastructure. Moisture is the main factor, and open-air drying is the most common method. However, insects and ultraviolet rays can harm crops and reduce their nutritional value, making food unsanitary. Mechanical and microwave drying are efficient, but their high costs and operational complexity limit their widespread adoption. Solar drying, particularly hybrid solar drying technology, is a promising alternative that balances efficiency, cost, and environmental impact. Solar-powered biomass backup dryers address these issues and offer a more sustainable alternative. This paper details the design of a solar-assisted hybrid dryer for drying turmeric rhizomes with an initial moisture content of 80% and a recommended final moisture content of 10%. The dryer is designed considering the normal temperature and relative humidity in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, India, and the average daily incident shortwave solar energy. The dryer is a square-shaped cabinet with a chimney. The design includes a solar absorber, a biomass burner, a blower, a drying cabinet, and an exhaust heat exchanger. The theoretical design is validated here before the actual fabrication of the dryer using a fluent Ansys tool. The ansys results show that the temperature distribution in the cabinet dryer is consistent between 60 and 65 degrees Celsius, with an air velocity of 2 m/s ensuring even drying. The pressure of the pressurized inlet air decreases due to tray obstacles. This development will aid small-scale turmeric processors in drying turmeric rhizomes quickly, safely, and under hygienic conditions, contributing to product value and international market standards. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.