Performance and Quality Assessment of Solar Tunnel Drying for Peaches and Tomatoes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65405/.11.ملحق%2041.2226الكلمات المفتاحية:
Solar energy, Photovoltaic system, Solar drying, Agricultural products, Solar tunnel dryer, Sustainable agriculture.الملخص
The use of solar energy offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for drying agricultural products, particularly in regions with abundant solar radiation such as Libya. This study investigates the technical feasibility and drying performance of an off-grid solar-powered drying system designed for agricultural applications. The proposed system integrates solar photovoltaic technology with battery storage to provide a reliable energy supply for the drying process while reducing dependence on conventional energy sources. The experimental evaluation compared two solar drying techniques: open sun drying and forced-convection drying inside a solar tunnel dryer. Peaches and tomatoes were selected as representative agricultural products and were dried at three slice thicknesses (3, 5, and 7 mm). Drying performance was assessed based on drying time, moisture removal efficiency, physicochemical characteristics, rehydration capacity, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and sensory quality.
The results demonstrated that the 3 mm slice thickness consistently achieved the shortest drying time and the highest overall product quality for both peaches and tomatoes. Compared with traditional open sun drying, the solar tunnel dryer significantly improved drying efficiency, enhanced the retention of nutritional and bioactive compounds, increased rehydration capacity, and produced better sensory characteristics. These findings confirm that solar-powered tunnel drying is an effective and sustainable technology for preserving agricultural products while improving product quality and reducing post-harvest losses.
التنزيلات
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