Solar Powered Dryer for Drying and Storing Grapes
S Kalavathidevi, S Maheswaran, Pachagounder Sakthivel, B Sangavi, S K Rajaraghavendraa, R. Rajesh Kanna
Abstract
One of the earliest method for preserving food is through open sun light drying. This technique involves the reduction of the water content in food to a level where microorganisms are unable to grow when the food is dried. The process of drying helps to remove the enough measure of moisture content, which is necessary for the progress and micro-organisms activity and enzymes. By the reduction in activity of water, the removal in moisture gets increased so that the shelf life of the raisin gets increases. If the reduce in content of moisture is between 1 and 5%, the product can be stored for over a year. It is crucial to execute out the process of drying in a manner that preserves the nutritional value, aroma, and cooking quality of the food. A well-dehydrated product, when altered with water, should accurately resemble the original product. Drying vegetables, meat and fruits at home is done by various methods including the use of electrical drying devices such as household appliances; sun drying or wind drying. Freeze drying is often involved in the dehydration of industrial food. In this process, the food is rapidly frozen and placed in a reduced pressure system, which causes the water to evaporate directly from the solid to the gaseous phase. Although it can be more costly to freeze dry compared with conventional dehydration methods, freezing has the benefit of prolonging the flavor, texture and nutritional value of foodstuffs. To overcome this, we came over an idea using the new technologies to dry grapes. We use the dry air method to preserve and dry the grapes inside the box. The container also regulate internal temperature, according to the dry food kept inside there.