SOLAR TUNNEL DRYER WITH INTEGRATED COLLECTOR

A solar tunnel dryer with integrated collector was developed and tested. This low-cost system can be produced either by small scale industries or farmers themselves using simple tools and relatively cheap materials. Depending on weather conditions about 1000 kg grapes can be dried within 4 to 7 days. According to the drying capacity the solar drying system can be successfully applied to farms with an acreage of 0. 5 to 1. 0 hectare. The energy cost for operating the fan are negligible compared to the additional earnings resulting from reduced mass losses and improved quality. A cost-benefit analysis shows that the pay-back period is less than one year which makes the system from an economic point of view recommendable.