Contributor(s)

Taslim, Mohammad

Abstract

Current market research indicates the need for an economical solution to efficiently dehydrate fruit and vegetables in equatorial climates. This is especially true for the banana industry of Central America. The goal is to design a cost effective solar powered fruit and vegetable dehydrator. The proposed design accommodates five (5) pounds fruit or three (3) pounds of vegetables and can remove seventy-five (75) percent of the water content in less than six (6) hours. This design is portable and robust enough to withstand the outdoor elements of equatorial climates. Using thermodynamic, heat transfer, and mass flow analyses, it has been shown that on an average day in this climate the dehydrator can achieve temperatures upwards of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The design as tested consists of a clear acrylic dome top, solar powered exhaust fan, mesh drying rack, blackened aluminum base and a series of wire mesh acting as a heat exchanger. The fruit dehydrator has been successfully designed at a mass production cost of $48.12 per unit.

Notes

Capston Design Course

Keywords

fruit and vegetable dryer, produce dehydration

Publisher

Northeastern University

Publication Date

11-5-2007

Rights Holder

Northeastern University, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Electrical Engineering

Permanent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d10011730


View Full Text

Click button above to open, or right-click to save.

Share

COinS