Recent Development Of GHE Solar Drying In Indonesia - Grass Roots Project

Abstract

Study on greenhouse effect (GHE) solar dryer was initiated since early 1990's in our laboratory. From several test results conducted using different type of GHE solar dryers, it was found that such system was applicable to a wide variety of tropical products from grains such as black pepper, rough rice, coffee and cocoa beans, to seeds, timber and sHced fruits. The latest experiment with the GHE solar dryer using mechanical stirrer to dry fermented cocoa beans, for example, was capable to reduce the total specific energy (solar and commercial energy) from about 12 MJ/kg of moisture as reported elsewhere to 6.2 MJllcg moisture. For the case of coffee drying without any mixing device but with relatively high loading capacity the recorded specific energy was 5.5 MJIIcg of moisture. Therefore, under the current stage of RID activity will be focused on the dissemination of appropriate GHE solar dryers through action research to promote the development of small scale industries in the rural areas so that they can help the farmers in processing their products. This paper presents some results of drying performance with GHE solar dryer including the introduction of several action research program to disseminate the technology in Indonesia.