Optimization of solar dryer using Taguchi method

Abstract

Solar dryers are one of most efficient devices for drying food and other products. These devices are eco-friendly and need solar energy for their operation and which is available freely and abundantly at almost every place. These are simple devices which do not need use any fossil fuel for their operation, which are expensive, exhaustive in nature and are not eco friendly. Several fresh food products and other items are dried for preservation and utilization for longer period of time. In recent times, with the development in this technology, the solar dryers are becoming well equipped with efficiency increasing add-ons which give higher performance. Several experimental studies have been carried out to mitigate the time consumption and increasing the productivity of solar dryers. Optimization of solar dryers is done to increase their workability increasing accuracy and reducing drying time and cost investment. In order to optimize the complete setup several techniques could be used to get the optimum results. In the present work Taguchi optimization technique was applied for experimental analysis of solar dryer which was used to dry potatoes. The results thus obtained showed the best configuration comprising air velocity, air flow and humidity required to dry potatoes.