Can solar energy be used to dry banana stalk chips biomass?

Solar energy may be more efficiently utilized for drying banana stalk chips biomass by using a solar dryer as well as a very thin layer of chips and by pretreating the biomass prior to the drying operation.

Can a solar dryer process ripe banana chips?

This was attributed to the pretreatment of banana chips with lemon juice prior to drying. This work presents a solar dryer that can process ripe and unripe banana to extend shelf life. The dryer does not require any form of electricity. Experiments using sliced banana indicated that the dryer has a performance efficiency of 72.5%.

What is solar and open sun drying of banana stalk chips?

Agbede, O.O., Odewale, I.S., Aworanti, O.A. et al. Solar and open sun drying of untreated and pretreated banana stalk chips biomass: a sustainable processing of biomass using renewable solar energy.

Does solar drying improve the shelf life of bananas?

Preservation of banana through drying is a recommended method for improving the shelf life. In this study, an experimental and theoretical evaluation of a developed forced-convection indirect solar drying system with a double-pass solar collector (DPSC) was undertaken. Experimentation using banana slices of 4 mm thickness was carried out.

Do banana stalks dry faster in a solar dryer?

Banana stalk dried mainly in the falling-rate phase and the rate of drying increased with decreasing chip thickness. However, the chips dried slower in direct sunlight compared to the solar dryer. The pretreatments significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the rate of dehydration of the chips in the solar dryer.

How does a DPSC banana solar dryer work?

The system features a unique arrangement, as the drying chamber is underneath the double-pass solar collector, and the solar collector itself can be adjusted between an angle of 0⁰ and 35⁰ for ease of sun tracking and use in different latitudes. Figure 2. The developed DPSC banana solar dryer.