Agricultural drying machine by solar energy

Experts from the University of Agriculture (Hanoi) have successfully fabricated agricultural grain dryers using solar energy.

Picture 1 of Agricultural drying machine by solar energy

The heat collector is mounted on the roof at the University of Agriculture. 1. According to the pipe on the right, the hot air stream is down to the drying chamber.

This machine can dry rice, corn, beans, peanuts, coffee, onions, garlic ...

Associate Professor Bui Hai Trieu said that the machine was used to dry rice trials on sunny days this winter, when the outdoor temperature is 19-20 degrees Celsius.

Under that condition, air in the drying chamber up to 50 degrees Celsius and each batch lasts 8-10 hours.

This dryer has two main parts: the heat collector and the heat exchanger.

The thermal receiver consists of a thin sheet of iron, which is blackened to absorb heat from the sun. Above the corrugated sheet is a transparent glass, which acts as a thermal radiation trap. This unit can be mounted on the roof.

Picture 2 of Agricultural drying machine by solar energy

Associate Professor Bui Hai Trieu stood by the drying chamber.

At present, the prototype machine is capable of drying 4.5 tons per batch, and it is possible to produce 4.5 ton / batch dryers, depending on the needs of each farmer. Without the need for high technology, farmers can install the machine from simple materials such as wood, iron, iron, glass ...

The team's intention is to continue to improve the machine by using heat from biogas to dry at night or when it rains, to meet the needs of drying in the harvest season.

One of the improvements is that the machine will also be equipped with a controller to control the temperature in the drying chamber suitable for each grain of agricultural products.

PGS Trieu added that because of the end of the research process, it is not estimated cost of the machine. However, if the machine is used in practice, the price is acceptable for the current income of the farmer.

Minh Son