Title: Performance evaluation of modified hybrid solar dryer for paddy seed

Authors: Md. Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz; Md. Rostom Ali; Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan; Md. Nur-A-Alam; Nusrat Jahan; Md. Mashiur Rahman

Addresses: Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur-1704, Bangladesh ' Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh ' Janata Bank Limited Bangladesh, Bangladesh ' Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh ' Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur-1704, Bangladesh ' Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur-1704, Bangladesh

Abstract: A modified hybrid solar dryer having capacity of 500 kg was constructed to carry out the study. Performance of the dryer was evaluated based on the drying rate, collector performance, collector efficiency, drying efficiency and quality of paddy (Oryza Sativa L.) seed. A 0.50 kW, 220 V centrifugal variac connected blower was used to control air flow. The drying air was heated up in the solar collector and passed to the drying chamber. Seeds were collected having initial moisture content of 23.86% (wb). Tetrazolium and standard germination tests were used to evaluate seed. This study found maximum germination (86%) percentage at 44°C and viability at that temperature was 97.5%. The germination percentage decreases with increasing drying temperature and 44°C temperature is completely safe for paddy seeds. This study also observed that amongst nine models Page model is best fitted model based on highest R2 and lowest RMSE values.

Keywords: paddy seeds; drying temperature; hybrid solar dryers; seed germination; thin layer modelling; performance evaluation; solar power; solar energy; seed drying.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2015.074321

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2015 Vol.5 No.2, pp.105 - 124

Received: 03 Feb 2015
Accepted: 04 Sep 2015

Published online: 22 Jan 2016 *

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