Natural Convection Solar Crop Dryers
Experimental and theoretical investigations into natural convection solar crop dryers
Research partners:
UK:
Dr. Hobina Rajakaruna Senior Lecturer De Montfort University
Ghana:
Dr. John K Afriyie Dean of Engineering Kumasi Polytechnic
Prof. Francis K Forson Associate Professor Kumasi Polytechnic and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Project outline:
CESAS research group is closely involved with Kumasi Polytechnic in Ghana on research related to design and modelling of natural convection solar crop dryers. The work is focused on low cost solar powered crop dryer design aimed at developing countries for the drying of food crop. International collaboration with academic colleagues in Kumasi Polytechnic and also with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has been on-going for many years which have led to many co-authored Journal publications.
Understanding cost effective design of dryers is very useful to countries in Africa and Asia as the initial cost of construction is the main reason why these dryers are not used extensively in crop drying. It is envisaged that the use of cost effective dryers will help countries in Africa and Asia to reduce wastage of food crop from exposure to the environment during the drying process. Studies such as these will lead to better drying of food crop and help the socio-economic development of these emerging economies.