Solar Dryer with Auto Tracking

Introduction

Theory of drying

When a solid is dried experimentally, data are obtained relating moisture

content to time. When these data are plotted graphically, it results in what is
known as a drying curve. If the moisture content is plotted versus time, the first
portion of the curve (B - C) will indicate a constant rate of drying.

The remainder of the curve will indicate a falling

rate of drying (C - D). A - B is that portion of the
curve where internal heat is still causing evaporation
and ends when the surface temperature of the solid
reaches the wet bulb temperature (dew point) of the air.

Objective
To increase the efficiency of the system.
To increase the power production in the solar panel by adding
auto tracking mechanism.

Concept:

In 1968 Dr. Peter Glaser in the U.S. published an idea centered on the fat that
in orbit close to earth, 1.35 KW of solar energy illuminates one square meter which
is considerably greater and one more continuous than anyone square meter on the
earth which, even when perpendicular to the sun can receive only a maximum of 1
KW.
His idea was converting sunlight to electricity to convert in to frequency signal
and beam down to the earth caring significant levels of energy. This electricity is
by establishing a very large array of solar cell in geo stationary orbit. A receiving
antenna station on the earth would convert this radio frequency back into an
alternate current which would a fed in to a local grit.

Components
The major components of the solar air dryer are,

Solar panel

Battery

D.C. Motor with Blower

Heating Coil

Outer Frame

Working Principle
The Solar sun rays passes through the glass in the solar panel, located on the top of
the cabinet, which is oriented to tilt angle equal to the latitude to collect maximum
radiation. The cabinet is made of anti-corrosive material and of modular nature to
meet the varying sizes and loading capacities of products, ranging from 8 to 50 kgs
and above
The solar panel is used to converting this sun light energy into electrical energy by
photovoltaic method. The solar panel output is 12 Voltage D.C. This energy is
stored in a battery of Lead-acid. The battery is supplying power to the 12 Volt D.C
motor. This D.C motor is coupled with an impeller fan.The hot air passes through
the trays, carries the moisture from the product. Then, impeller fans exhaust this air
containing moisture. The forced air circulation in the cabinet is achieved through
this impeller fan. In features the electrical heaters are provided as standby to meet
any exigencies on non-sunny days
 SOLAR PANEL AUTO TRACKING

1. Block Diagram

SUN RAYS

LDR CONTROL RELAY P.M.

CIRCUIT CIRCUIT D.C MOTOR

TRACKING SOLAR PANEL

MECHANISM

WORKING PRINCIPLE:
Light Depending Resister (LDR) is used as a light sensor. The LDRs output
depends up on

Intensity of Sun Rays and

Direction of Sun Rays

The LDR output is given to the control circuit. The control circuit is used
to activate/deactivate the relay circuit depends upon the input signal (i.e. output
of LDR) of control circuit. Whenever the sun position changed, the control
circuit is activated to the relay circuit.

The Relay output is connected to the Permanent Magnet D.C. Motor

(PMDC). The relay is activated, the Permanent Magnet D.C (P.M.D.C) motor
starts running. The P.M.D.C motor coupled with chain drive to the solar panel.
So the panel was tilting some angle depends upon the motor activating time.

The solar panel was tilted according to the sun movement. So this
mechanism is called AUTO TRACKING MECHANISM.
ADVANTAGES
 Simple in construction
This system is noiseless in operation
It is portable, so it can be transferred easily from one place to other place
Power is stored in a battery
Maintenance cost is low
DISADVANTAGES
It does not purify air
Initial cost is high
Solar panel saves the energy during day only
LIST OF MATERIALS
Solar Panel
Battery (12V)
D.C. Motor with blower(12V)
Outer Sheet Metal
Heating Coil
Frame Stand
Tray