Variation of Temperature and Relative Humidity in the Drying Cabinet of a Mixed-mode Moringa Oliefera Solar dryer

Abstract

This resea

This research explored diverse methodologies to conceive and fabricate a mixed-mode solar dryer. The primary objective is to monitor the variations in temperature and relative humidity within the dryer cabinet during the drying period. The constructed solar drier, with cabinet and collector areas of 1.6m² and 1.25m², respectively, was used to dry 10kg of Moringa Oleifera vegetable leaves at Sabon Gari, Kano State, Nigeria. It took a minimum of 22 hours in the solar dryer to dry the moringa leaves from 10 - 0.9kg and obtain an equilibrium moisture level of 10-9%, compared to 96 hours in an open-air drier to dry the same moringa leaves from 10-1.3kg. The dryer achieved up to 39°C temperature in the cabinet with relative humidity (RH) decreasing from 84% to as low as 33% during the experiment. These optimum conditions in the cabinet result in a reduced drying period and help preserve the nutritional value of the Moringa Olifera leaves.

rch explored diverse methodologies to conceive and fabricate a mixed-mode solar dryer. The primary objective is to monitor the variations in temperature and relative humidity within the dryer cabinet during the drying period. The constructed solar drier, with cabinet and collector areas of 1.6m² and 1.25m², respectively, was used to dry 10kg of Moringa Oleifera vegetable leaves at Sabon Gari, Kano State, Nigeria. It took a minimum of 22 hours in the solar dryer to dry the moringa leaves from 10 - 0.9kg and obtain an equilibrium moisture level of 10-9%, compared to 96 hours in an open-air drier to dry the same moringa leaves from 10-1.3kg. The dryer achieved up to 39°C temperature in the cabinet with relative humidity (RH) decreasing from 84% to as low as 33% during the experiment. These optimum conditions in the cabinet result in a reduced drying period and help preserve the nutritional value of the Moringa Olifera leaves.