Automated solar dryer

Abstract

As a proposal aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), mainly 2 Zero hunger (target 2.4), 7 Affordable and clean energy (target 7.3.a), 11 Sustainable cities and communities (target 11.6) and, mainly, the 12 Responsible production and consumption (goals 12.3 and 12.5); Work has been done on the design and construction of an automated solar dryer for the use of surpluses from agricultural production. At the moment there are two versions: the first made of wood and one more in food-grade stainless steel. Its operation is based on the heliotropic movement of the sunflower, moving autonomously and/or through the mobile application, while keeping records on temperature, humidity and radiation. The prototype has an approximate capacity of 3 kilos of sliced product, which is dehydrated between 5 and 10 hours depending on its level of humidity and the ambient temperature and radiation. Currently, work is being done to optimize its operation, in the mechanical and thermodynamic part, seeking greater efficiency, which facilitates its management for agricultural producers in order to reduce costs, diversify its offer and benefit the population of the region with a new option of nutritious, quality and easy-to-preserve food at reasonable prices, thus reducing food loss and environmental pollution generated by agricultural waste.