Development of an Arduino controlled refractance window dryer :

Abstract

Reliance on low-level post-harvest handling technology in Uganda, is one of the key constraints to reducing postharvest losses and producing high value processed products that can fetch good prices not only locally but also in the export markets. Refractance Window Dryer (RWD) system, therefore, is one of the novels drying technologies that have been identified to reduce postharvest losses in Uganda. This technology has gained much attention for the production of quality dry products in powder form without affecting the nutrient content of the product and while maintaining the product’s color and aroma. The purpose of the study was to develop and carry out a performance evaluation of a cost-effective RWD miniature that was focused on the functional aspect rather than the display aspect of the full-scale RWD machine. Using SolidWorks 2020 CAD software, the machine was simulated and meshed using the finite element method (FEM). The system was simulated and analyzed for stress, displacement simulated and meshed using the finite element method (FEM). The machine’s throughput was 1 kg/hr at an evaporative energy of 171 kJ/kgH2O. The drying time was 55 minutes for mango pulp from 85% to 7 % MC wb at a pre-heating temperature of 95°C. The machine consumed 4.41 kWh while drying mango pulp. The machine’s thermal efficiency was 23.81%. The machine was efficient, economically viable and a suitable unit for dehydrating moist materials for laboratory use (pilot-scale study) and medium-scale industries for drying of bio-products.