Design and Development of a Solar Dryer for Microalgae Retrieval - An EPS@ISEP 2013 Spring Project

Currently excessive fossil fuel consumption has become a serious problem. People are searching for new solutions of energy production and there are several options to obtain alternative sources of energy without further devastating the already destroyed environment. One of these solutions is growing microalgae, from which biodiesel can be obtained. The microalgae production is a growing business because of its many useful compounds. In order to collect these compounds microalgae must first be harvested and then dried. Nowadays the solutions used for drying use too much energy and therefore are too expensive and not sustainable. The goal of this project, one of the possible choices during the EPS@ISEP 2013 Spring, was to develop a solar microalgae dryer. The multinational team involved in its development was composed of five students, from distinct countries and fields of study, and was the responsible for designing a solar microalgae dryer prototype for the microalgae laboratory of the chemical engineering department at ISEP, suitable for future tests and incorporating control process (in order not to destroy the microalgae during the drying process). The solar microalgae dryer was built to work as a distiller that gets rid of the excess water from the microalgae suspension. This paper presents a possible solution for this problem, the steps to create the device to harvest the microalgae by drying them with the use of solar energy (also used as an energy source for the solar dryer control system), the technologies used to build the solar microalgae dryer, and the benefits it presents compared to current solutions. It also presents the device from the ethical and sustainable viewpoint. Such alternative to already existing methods is competitive as far as energy usage is concerned.

Learning sustainability by developing a solar dryer for microalgae retrieval

The development of nations depends on energy consumption, which is generally based on fossil fuels. This dependency produces irreversible and dramatic effects on the environment, e.g. large greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn cause global warming and climate changes, responsible for the rise of the sea level, floods, and other extreme weather events. Transportation is one of the main uses of energy, and its excessive fossil fuel dependency is driving the search for alternative and sustainable sources of energy such as microalgae, from which biodiesel, among other useful compounds, can be obtained. The process includes harvesting and drying, two energy consuming steps, which are, therefore, expensive and unsustainable. The goal of this EPS@ISEP Spring 2013 project was to develop a solar microalgae dryer for the microalgae laboratory of ISEP. A multinational team of five students from distinct fields of study was responsible for designing and building the solar microalgae dryer prototype. The prototype includes a control system to ensure that the microalgae are not destroyed during the drying process. The solar microalgae dryer works as a distiller, extracting the excess water from the microalgae suspension. This paper details the design steps, the building technologies, the ethical and sustainable concerns and compares the prototype with existing solutions. The proposed sustainable microalgae drying process is competitive as far as energy usage is concerned. Finally, the project contributed to increase the deontological ethics, social compromise skills and sustainable development awareness of the students.

Control of a solar dryer through using a fuzzy logic and low-cost model-based sensor

Solar drying is one of the important processes used for extending the shelf life of agricultural products. Regarding consumer requirements, solar drying should be more suitable in terms of curtailing total drying time and preserving product quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a fuzzy logic-based control system, which performs a ?human-operator-like? control approach through using the previously developed low-cost model-based sensors. Fuzzy logic toolbox of MatLab and Borland C++ Builder tool were utilized to develop a required control system. An experimental solar dryer, constructed by CONA SOLAR (Austria) was used during the development of the control system. Sensirion sensors were used to characterize the drying air at different positions in the dryer, and also the smart sensor SMART-1 was applied to be able to include the rate of wood water extraction into the control system (the difference of absolute humidity of the air between the outlet and the inlet of solar dryer is considered by SMART-1 to be the extracted water). A comprehensive test over a 3 week period for different fuzzy control models has been performed, and data, obtained from these experiments, were analyzed. Findings from this study would suggest that the developed fuzzy logic-based control system is able to tackle difficulties, related to the control of solar dryer process.

Solar drying of jack fruit almonds

Dryers heated by solar energy have been constructed and used in drying whole and half jack fruit almonds. The samples were dried during the day in direct sun and in the conventional solar dryer prepared for this purpose. Another piece of equipment was built for reception and accumulation of sun energy in a body of water, which was used as a heat source for night drying. The drying with the sun energy was compared with artificial drying. The jack fruit almonds were dried whole, half, with pellicle and without it. The storage of solar energy in water was technically viable for use in night drying. The drying by combining solar dryers in the day and night periods were completed in approximately 35 hours, and were equivalent to artificial drying between 40ºC and 70ºC. Almond cut in half and the pellicle removed reduced the drying time.

Estudio del Secado de Anacardo (Anacardium occidentale L.) mediante Secador Solar de Radiación Directa

MACHADO, Antônio V. et al. Estudio del Secado de Anacardo (Anacardium occidentale L.) mediante Secador Solar de Radiación Directa. Información Tecnológica, v. 21, n. 1, p. 31-37, 2010.

Estudo de um secador solar fabricado apartir de sucata de tambor de polietileno

The scarcity of farmland, reducing the supply of irrigation water and lack of technologies for conservation, makes the globalized world facing serious difficulties in the production of food for its population. The most viable outlet for this dilemma is the dissemination of technologies, economically viable and available to the whole population, for dehydration of perishable foods produced. This paper presents a solar dryer of direct exposure to the production of dried fruit, made from recycled polyethylene drum of 200 liters, used for storing water or trash. The drum was sectioned in half in its longitudinal axis and has its halves together forming a trough-like structure. It describes the processes of construction and assembly of solar dryer proposed, whose main characteristic its low cost, and was designed for use by people with low income, for processing fruits widely available in our region (mango, banana, guava, cashew, pineapple, tomato and others) in dried fruit and flour, contributing significantly to increase the life of these foods. The nuts and flours can be used for own consumption and for marketing jobs and income generation. Tests were conducted to diagnose the feasibility of using solar dryer for the various types of tropical fruits. Were also compared parameters such as drying times and thermal efficiency obtained with the prototype found in the specialized literature in food dehydration. The drying times in the dryer were obtained competitive with those obtained in other models of dryers LMHES developed

Viabilidade do uso de secadores solar de convecção natural e forçada para a secagem do coco Licuri

Licuri is a palm tree from the semiarid regions of Bahia State, Brazil. It is an important source of food and feed in that region, since their nuts are commonly eaten by humans and used as maize substitute for poultry feeding. The aim of this dissertation is to study the feasibility for use of natural convection solar dryers and forced being compared with the traditional drying outdoors for drying coconut licuri Syagrus coronate. The study led to the construction of two prototype solar dryer for carrying out experiments proving: model Solar Drying System Direct Exposure to Natural Convection built with wood, has a drying chamber with direct cover transparent glass laminates 4 mm, using techniques for proper isolation of the drying chamber. The two prototypes were comparatively analyzed for performance and drying efficiency with traditional extractive use by the community. Were evaluated the variables: time and drying rates and quality of the final samples of coconut licuri. The fruits were harvested and brought the town of Ouricuri, in the city of Caldeirão Grande, BA for the experiments comparing the three methods of drying was used a standard load of 4.0 kg The quantitative analysis for the result of the drying rate was found in 74% yield and 44% for natural and forced convection respectively compared with the traditional drying. These drying rates represent variation 3-5 times lower. Drying using forced convection licuri showed better quality, was found in a reddish pulp, representing the quantities that were kept of the nutrient beta carotene, and not notice the flavor change from the previous system, the final cost of construction of this system were higher . The prototypes built competitive advantage and had testified fully to resolve the technical difficulties previously encountered in the production of products made of coconut licuri. Allowing add value and increase their potential use for the fruit extractive communities of semi-arid region of Bahia

Utilização de um secador solar para desintoxicação da torta de mamona

It´s been motivating motivated by the current rulers as an energy solution the use of the biodiesel as source of energy, that doesn't damage the environment and promotes the development of the areas where the base plant are grown. The process of production of the biodiesel, starting from the castor oil plant and its derivers, generates a known product as castor oil plant pie that has been used as fertilizer. Once disintoxicated, it can serve as animal ration, because it contains high content of proteins, presenting larger joined value. The disintoxication process, can be obtained through the process of drying the pie with the construction and use of models of dryers capable to elevate the temperature of the castor oil plant pie to approximately 60ºC.In this temperature the product tends to eliminate the ricina, with the aid of an aqueous solution of hydroxide of calcium, or still reach higher temperatures to make the disintoxication without a chemical treatment. It was made a bibliographical research about known processes of disintoxication of the castor oil plant pie from the autoclave use to the drying direct exposure to the sun. Starting from the state of the art and identification of the object, it was chosen solar dryers to eliminate the ricina. It was applied two types of solar dryers: the one of solar direct exposure, and the one with concentrador. The castor oil plant pie was separated in samples, with measurement of its initial mass, codified and placed in the dryers. The results were presented in graphs and tables forms, with the values of temperatures noticed. It was noticed the variations of temperature and the relationships analyzed related with the ricina content eliminated from the pie. The analysis of the ricina content was accomplished by Embrapa - Campina Grande, by eletroforese method. The analysis of the result of considering the content of ricina of the samples. It was observed that, we obtained lower rate of ricina in samples that had larger drying time and average value temperature above 60ºC. Comparing with the ones submitted to higher temperatures and in a shorter period of time. It was possible to evaluate the efficiency of the dryers in the desintoxication process of the samples, as well as the type of more appropriate dryer for the drying pie process. Finally, it was concluded that the solar dryer with concentrador presents higher values temperatures than the direct exposure one. So, it´s being more opportune applied in the castor oil plant pie drying process. However, more than one hour for drying time is needed

Sistema de secagem solar para frutos tropicais e modelagem da secagem de banana em um secador de coluna estática

In this study were projected, built and tested an electric solar dryer consisting of a solar collector, a drying chamber, an exhaust fan and a fan to promote forced hot air convection. Banana drying experiments were also carried out in a static column dryer to model the drying and to obtain parameters that can be used as a first approximation in the modeling of an electric solar dryer, depending on the similarity of the experimental conditions between the two drying systems. From the banana drying experiments conducted in the static column dryer, we obtained food weight data as a function of aqueous concentration and temperature. Simplified mathematical models of the banana drying were made, based on Fick s and Fourier s second equations, which were tested with the experimental data. We determined and/or modeled parameters such as banana moisture content, density, thin layer drying curves, equilibrium moisture content, molecular diffusivity of the water in banana DAB, external mass transfer coefficient kM, specific heat Cp, thermal conductivity k, latent heat of water evaporation in the food Lfood, time to heat food, and minimum energy and power required to heat the food and evaporate the water. When we considered the shrinkage of radius R of a banana, the calculated values of DAB and kM generally better represent the phenomenon of water diffusion in a solid. The latent heat of water evaporation in the food Lfood calculated by modeling is higher than the latent heat of pure water evaporation Lwater. The values calculated for DAB and KM that best represent the drying were obtained with the analytical model of the present paper. These values had good agreement with those assessed with a numeric model described in the literature, in which convective boundary condition and food shrinkage are considered. Using parameters such as Cp, DAB, k, kM and Lfood, one can elaborate the preliminary dryer project and calculate the economy using only solar energy rather than using solar energy along with electrical energy

Estudo da secagem do pedúnculo do caju em sistemas convencional e solar: modelagem e simulação do processo

This work aims to study the drying of cashew-nut pulp with different lay-out of dryers using conventional and solar energy. It concerns with the use of exceeding of the regional raw material and the suitable knowledge for the applicability of the drying systems as pathway for food conservation. Besides, it used renewable sources as solar energy to dry these agroindustrial products. Runs were carried out using a conventional tray-dryer with temperature, air velocity control and cashew slice thickness of 55°C, 65°C, 75°C; 3.0; 4.5, 6.0 m s-1; 1.0; 1.5 and 2.0 cm, respectively, in order to compare the studied systems. To evaluate the conventional tray-dryer, it was used a diffusional model of 2nd Fick´s law, where the drying curves were quite well fitted to an infinite flat plate design. For the drying runs where the room temperature had no control, it was developed a phenomenological-mathematical model for the solar dryer with indirect radiation under natural and forced convection based on material and energy balances of the system. Besides, it was carried out assays in the in natura as well as dehydrated, statistic analysis of the experimental drying data, sensorial analysis of the final dry product and a simplified economical analysis of the systems studied

Modelagem de um secador solar de produtos agrícolas com sistema de armazenagem de energia térmica

Nos países em desenvolvimento, como o Brasil, a secagem de produtos agrícolas com uso de secador solar representa uma alternativa promissora de baixo custo, reduzindo perdas e agregando valor aos produtos. Porém, devido à natureza periódica da radiação solar e das condições do tempo, nem sempre é viável sua utilização. Dessa forma, o objetivo do trabalho foi a modelagem de um sistema auxiliar de armazenagem de energia térmica (SAET) em um secador solar, cuja finalidade é armazenar energia durante o dia para ser utilizada conforme necessário. Com base em registros de temperatura e umidade relativa, ambas do ar, de um secador solar, foi feito um estudo da termodinâmica dos processos envolvidos, a fim de propor meios para o dimensionamento do SAET. Foram explorados a estimativa do fluxo de massa de ar no secador, a modelagem da temperatura em função da radiação, e o dimensionamento para diferentes modos de operação do SAET, considerando o sistema ideal. Este dimensionamento tratou tanto do caso de fornecimento contínuo de fluxo de água preaquecida, como de uso de automação para controlar o fluxo. A estimativa de fluxo de ar no secador se aproximou de valores típicos encontrados na literatura. O dimensionamento do sistema, embora considerado ideal, mostra que a utilização do SAET melhora o desempenho do secador, servindo como parâmetro para melhor compreender o comportamento das variáveis durante seu funcionamento.

Estudio del Secado de Anacardo (Anacardium occidentale L.) mediante Secador Solar de Radiación Directa

MACHADO, Antônio V. et al. Estudio del Secado de Anacardo (Anacardium occidentale L.) mediante Secador Solar de Radiación Directa. Información Tecnológica, v. 21, n. 1, p. 31-37, 2010.

Estudio del Secado de Anacardo (Anacardium occidentale L.) mediante Secador Solar de Radiación Directa

MACHADO, Antônio V. et al. Estudio del Secado de Anacardo (Anacardium occidentale L.) mediante Secador Solar de Radiación Directa. Información Tecnológica, v. 21, n. 1, p. 31-37, 2010.

Estudo da viabilidade de uso de secadores solares fabricados com sucatas de luminárias

It presents a direct exposure to solar dryer for drying of food, built from a scrap of luminaire. The dryer works under direct exposure to natural circulation. Will be presented their methods of construction and assembly of that dryer that allows the reuse of materials, constituting a environmentally correct recycling dryer main features proposed are its low cost and simple manufacturing processes and assembly. Test results will be presented for the drying of foods that prove the feasibility and cost of thermal solar drying alternative system proposed. It is worth emphasizing the social importance that such application is for the most excluded since the value-added fruits, vegetables, legumes and other foods in relation to fresh may represent an option of income generation. It will also study the transformation of some of dry food meal and demonstrated that the drying times for the foods tested are competitive and sometimes pointed in the solar literature

Viabilidade de utilização de um compósito de matriz cerâmica com cargas recicláveis na fabricação de equipamentos solares

Composite materials can be defined as materials formed from two or more constituents with different compositions, structures and properties, which are separated by an interface. The main objective in producing composites is to combine different materials to produce a single device with superior properties to the component unit. The present study used a composite consisting of plaster, cement, EPS, tire, PET and water to build prototype solar attempt to reduce the manufacturing cost of such equipment. It was built two box type solar cookers, a cooler to be cooled by solar energy, a solar dryer and a solar cooker concentration. For these prototypes were discussed the processes of construction and assembly, determination of thermal and mechanical properties, and raising the performance of such solar systems. Were also determined the proportions of the constituents of the composite materials according to specific performance of each prototype designed. This compound proved to be feasible for the manufacture of such equipment, low cost and easy manufacturing and assembly processes