Sanitation is fundamental to reducing disease and sustaining a high standard of living. The evolution of sewer systems and the modern engineering of wastewater treatment plants work to decrease health risk and manage environmental concerns associated with the reuse and disposal of treated effluent and solid wastes generated as byproducts. The recycling of treated solid wastes (biosolids) continues to be an environmental challenge due to the shear volume produced, and its potentially hazardous composition. Solar drying of biosolids was studied in semi-arid regions as a sustainable method for reducing pathogens. The initial studies were performed with no intervening treatments. Average fecal coliform inactivation rates for digested biosolids during summer experiments were determined to be 0.17 ± 0.03/day⁻¹ and 0.17 ± 0.04/day⁻¹, respectively. Salmonella inactivation rates in aerobically digested biosolids were 0.11 ± 0.08 day⁻¹ and 2.0 ± 2.0 day⁻¹ for aerobically and anaerobically digested biosolids, respectively for the summer seasons. Solar drying during warm dry seasons was effective in reducing pathogens. Microbial testing to verify the quality of biosolids can be expensive. Utilizing a mathematical model to predict pathogen density levels during the solar drying process can minimize such testing. The first order mathematical model, N(t) = N(o) * 10⁻ᵏᵈᵗ where the inactivation constant, k(d), is further defined as a function of moisture (Θ) and temperature (T), i.e. k(d) = f(Θ,T): k(d) = (k₁/( k₁ + Θ) * (T/(k₂-T)) * k₃, k₁ = 0.112, k₂ = -41.88, and k₃ = -0.5357; for all T greater than or equal to 38ºC, T=38°C provided a good estimate of the inactivation rate of fecal coliforms in biosolids. During subsequent field studies, treatments were employed to manage the drying cycle of biosolids - tilling increased the rate of drying, a covered solar drying bed increased the inactivation rate of fecal coliforms by 300%, and an automated rain shield was engineered to limit enteric bacterial regrowth due to rainfall. Finally, since biosolids are to be considered a source of nitrogen when land-applied, temporal samples of biosolids from various solar drying experiments were analyzed to ascertain the levels of NH⁺₄-N and NO⁻₃-N throughout the drying process. Chemical analyses revealed that as much as 34-92% of nitrogen was lost via volatilization during the drying process.

For African farmers, proper drying is considered to be the biggest single factor in determining whether grain can be effectively stored without deterioration. The primary goal of the project is to develop and test the Pico solar crOp Dryer (POD). The overall goal is to improve the POD’s performance, making it acceptable to small holder farmers in Kenya and other developing countries, and positioning it for commercialization. In the POD tests shelled maize was placed in wooden or plastic trays and that were covered with plastic sheets. In the final design, seven small fans of the type used for cooling electronics moved air through the dryer. Power was supplied by a 12 volt, 30 Watt Solar Panel and a 12 volt 7 ampere hour lead acid battery. A charge controller allowed the fans to draw energy from both the solar panel and the battery. The POD was tested at Purdue from 2017 to 2019. The most recent Purdue test on freshly harvested maize was conducted in September 2018. The POD was able to dry 142 kg of 30.1% mc maize to 13.3% in 24.5 hours of drying over 3 calendar days giving an overall drying rate of 0.68 percentage points per hour. The POD dried the maize in 0.84 of the time required to dry maize on a tarp. In the summer of 2018, the components for assembling 5 POD’s were prepared and sent to Kenya for testing. The tests were conducted in Nakuru county in November 2018, and in Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi counties in March 2019. Overall average drying rates for the tests varied, depending on weather conditions, from 0.58 to 0.97 percentage points per hour. A thin layer drying equation was adapted for use in investigating the effects of weather conditions and the airflow rate on the POD drying rate. Adoption of the POD by small holder farmers in Kenya and other developing countries should lead to a reduction in post-harvest losses caused by improper drying. Although testing has been primarily focused on drying maize, it could be adapted for drying other crops.

In this study, die-off patterns of helminth ova, fecal coliforms, and Salmonella spp. in biosolids were documented using three small-scale sand drying beds located in a greenhouse. Treatments involved tilling the biosolids with differing frequencies. The results indicate that the inactivation rate for helminth ova was 0.88, 0.55, and 0.22 eggs/4 g TS day-1 for the intensively-tilled, moderately-tilled, and control beds, respectively. Achievement of Class A criteria was only possible in the intensively-tilled bed by Day 70 of the experiment. Salmonella spp. were inactivated to Class A levels in 9 days for the intensively and moderately-tilled beds. Regrowth of Salmonella spp. occurred thereafter in all beds, but high levels were seen only in the control bed. Fecal coliforms reached Class A criteria late in the experiment. Tilling treatments enhanced the inactivation rate of helminth ova and offer a potentially cost-effective method of pathogen reduction.

Wood drying is essential for preparation of this natural resource for practical applications.Most drying models confirm that the tortuosity of the moisture transport path, associated with high wood density or low moisture permeability, is an important control parameter during the diffusion-controlled drying process. Drying systems, such as kilns, control the external environment in order to manipulate moisture diffusion and transport mechanisms; however they are powerless to manipulate wood density or permeability. Controlled application of microwave energy has been shown to selectively rupture the wood structure creating radial pathways in the wood through which moisture may readily move. New analytical equations that describe simultaneous heat and moisture transport during microwave heating have been derived and validated. These new equations assume that the microwave fields decay exponentially with distance inside the irradiated material and enforce a boundary condition, which allows convective heat transfer at the inter-facial boundary between the moist dielectric material and the air. They demonstrate the importance of applying the theory of simultaneous heat and moisture movement to microwave heating. In this theory a set of synchronised heat and moisture waves propagate through the material with velocities that are vastly different from those predicted by the constant vapour concentration thermal diffusivity of the material. They also correctly predict the “S” shaped temperature versus electric field strength curves discussed by other authors.(For complete abstract open document)

Drying of fruits has been done for many years and different techniques have been developed. For preservation of fruit, drying is a good method for producing sustainable food products that avoids waste. The interest in producing sustainable food products that are nutritious and safe from bacterial growth has increased. In developing countries large amounts of food are destroyed, while many people are undernourished. Every year large amounts of pineapples are produced in Ghana. The pineapples are either being sold fresh or distributed to juice producers. To minimize the wastes and improve the economy in rural areas, drying is an interesting method. The unreliable power supply system is a problem in Ghana. Power failure is frequent. During dry season, sun drying is a suitable method for Ghana, which has a tropical climate with dry and rain seasons. A solar dryer for pineapples has been developed, constructed, modified, tested and implemented in the village Edumafa, in a rural area of Ghana. The only energy source that has been used to dry the pineapples is the sun. Before the trip to Ghana, drying tests were made in a laboratory in Sweden and a prototype of the dryer was built in the university workshop. This was done to facilitate the work in Ghana by gaining experience from drying and constructing. The prototyping also clarified which type of tools that would be needed so the tools could be transported from Sweden. The results from drying pineapple slices at 70°C in an oven in Sweden resulted in slices with hard shells and a soft, moist content (the moisture could not be removed since it became enclosed inside the slices).The conclusion was drawn that the pineapples cannot be dried in such a high temperature. Slices were in good quality when dried at 50°C. Since the citizens in the village Edumafa have never dried pineapples before, it is important for them to learn how to use the dryer and keep it in good working condition. During wet season it is important that the dryer is protected against rain. In the mid of a sunny day, when the temperature in the ambient air was 30°C, the temperature in the drying chamber could be around 50°C. Temperatures over 50°C were possible to achieve and there were no risk for getting to high temperature in the drying chamber. Therefore good drying temperatures can be achieved. To change the economy in considerable proportions for the citizens in Edumafa, a bigger dryer is necessary. The villagers need investment help to afford a bigger dryer of this type. The dryer can minimize losses of pineapples and create bigger incomes if the solar dryer is maintained in good condition and the villagers use it often to dry pineapples. / Att torka frukt har gjorts i många år och olika tekniker har utvecklats. Torkning av frukt är en bra metod för att förlänga hållbarheten och minimera spill. Att producera mat som både har en lång hållbarhet, är näringsrik och har låg mikrobiologisk tillväxt har idag blivit mer och mer aktuellt.  I utvecklingsländer förstörs stora mängder av mat samtidigt som det finns ett problem med undernärda människor. I Ghana skördas stora mängder ananas varje år och säljs antingen färska eller skickas iväg för juiceproduktion. För att minimera spill och förbättra ekonomin på landsbygden, torkning är en intressant metod. Ett problem i Ghana är det instabila elnätet. Strömavbrott är vanligt förekommande och därför är det bra om torkningen sker med metoder som inte kräver elektricitet. Klimatet är tropiskt med torr- och regnperioder, och soltorkning passar sig bara under torrperioden. En soltork för ananas har utvecklats, byggts upp, modifierats, testats och implementerats i byn Edumafa på den ghanesiska landsbygden. Den enda energikällan som används av torken är solen. Inför resan till Ghana har i Sverige torkförsök gjorts i ett laboratorium samt en prototyp av en soltork byggts upp i universitetets verkstad. Detta för att underlätta arbetet i Ghana genom att få erfarenheter från torkning och byggande. Byggandet har även klargjort vilken typ av verktyg som kan tänkas behövas så att de kan bli transporterade från Sverige. Resultatet av torkförsöken i Sverige visade att vid 70°C blir ananasen bränd på ytan (fukten kan inte transporteras ut eftersom den blir instängd inuti skivorna), vilket gör att ananasen inte går att torka vid en sådan hög temperatur. Ananasskivorna fick bra kvalité vid torkning i 50°C i laboratoriets ugn. Eftersom soltorkning av ananas är något som byborna i Edumafa aldrig har gjort tidigare, är det viktigt att de förstår hur torken fungerar samt att de kan torka ananas på egen hand.  Under regnperioden är det viktigt att torken skyddas från regn. Mitt under en solig dag då utetemperaturen är cirka 30°C kan temperaturen i torkkammaren bli cirka 50°C. Temperaturer över 50°C var möjliga att uppnå och det blev aldrig för varmt i torkkammaren. Vilket tyder på att bra torktemperaturer kan uppnås. För att kunna få till stånd en betydande förändring i ekonomin i Edumafa, är det nödvändigt att bygga en större tork. Invånarna behöver ekonomisk hjälp till investeringen för att ha råd med en större tork av denna typ. Torken kan minimera spill av ananas och generera större inkomster, om torken bevaras i ett gott skick och invånarna använder den ofta för att torka i.

Solar energy has a great potential to give cheap and abundant energy to rural areas of the world, but is the technology ready to be implemented today? This stydy looked at the possibilities to introduce more renewable energy into the local hand-made paper production in Bangladesh. Specifically the potential of solar heated vacuum tubes filled with water as a heat carrier. This type of solar thermal collectors are cheap to produce, relatively efficient at converting both direct and diffuse solar energy into usable energy, and have a very simple construction that do not require a lot of training to handle. The study showed that the collector could convert about 70 % of the energy from the sun into usable energy in the form of hot water circulated in the system. On average in Bangladesh the 5 m2 collector used is expected to have an output of about 25.6 MJ per day (yearly average) and about 4.8 MJ was needed to evaporate 1 kg of water from the drying papers (including the system losses). This can be compared with the old system that used about 8 MJ per kg water evaporated. Finally the study includes a step by step guide into how to build a system like this by locally available material. The only parts that were imported were some measurement equipment and parts of the collector that was not yet available through local distributors. The pump was also not produced in Bangladesh, but a similar pump could be bought by local companies that import this type of equipment.

Thesis (MSc (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Saasveld solar kiln, valued at US$ 10,000 (R 70,000), is a greenhouse-type solar kiln requiring no additional heating. A unique auto-regulated process of natural dehumidification at night controls the humidity, and uses no venting system, nor any human/controller intervention. The natural dehumidification is achieved by circulating the humid kiln air through an air jacket on the periphery of the solar kiln. Diurnal temperature fluctuations allow condensation in the air jacket when air is cooled to below its dew-point temperature. The process is simple as colder night temperatures are a certainty. Almost no research has been done on similar kilns. The purpose of this thesis was to study the operation and performance of a solar drying kiln to dry high density hardwoods utilising natural dehumidification. The kiln load consisted of 20.1m 3 of a high density hardwood, Eucalyptus diversicolor, with air-dry density of 893kg/m 3 . The ZA Dry Q drying quality assessment indicated outstanding moisture distribution with little drying stress, a few surface checks and no internal checks, collapse, short bow or surface discolouration. The results conformed to the ZA Dry Q softwood appearance grade specification, except for end checks – remarkable for the drying of any hardwood. The final moisture content (MC) distribution was extremely tight with MC average of 11.5 per cent (%), standard deviation of 0.97% and the moisture gradient averaged 1.49%, standard deviation of 0.5%. The MC and MG were equally distributed in all three geometric directions throughout the load. The timber dried in 130 days. The kiln operation was analysed by temperature and humidity parameters at five positions inside and outside the kiln while monitoring the MC. The extent of moisture evaporation from the timber and the dehumidification of air were derived from this data. The results showed that the average of the daily kiln temperature, independent from the external temperature, increased from 18.0°C initially to 25.7°C. A maximum temperature of 38.1°C was recorded at the end of drying. Cell collapse did not occur under these low temperatures. Evaporation occurred generally from 07h30 to 16h45. The rate reduced at lower moisture contents. There was no effect of stack width. Natural dehumidification by condensation happened generally from 17h00 to 07h30. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) decreased automatically from an initial daily average of 18.1% (variation 5%) to 8% (variation 2%) finally. It was similar to a smoothed T3C2–schedule. The mild drying conditions, with EMCs above 7.3%, ensured minimal moisture gradients and drying stresses. This reduced surface and internal checks. Nocturnal equalising and conditioning, comparable to intermittent schedules, resulted from: no evaporation, improved diffusion of heated timber and adsorption of moisture on the wood surface. The kiln protected the timber in extreme climatic conditions. It was found that the main circulating fan could be switched off from 17h00 to 07h30. A 30-minute manual venting at noon was permitted once fibre saturation point had been reached. Beneficiaries to this study can include hardwood processors who need to dry high density hardwoods within a reasonable time to an excellent drying quality. Processors in developing countries or who have little drying expertise could also benefit. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Saasveld sondroër, met ‘n beraamde waarde van US$ 10,000 (R70,000), is ‘n groentetonneltipe sondroër met geen addisionele verhitting nie. ‘n Unieke auto-reguleerder beheer die humiditeit snags deur natuurlike dehumidifikasie. Dit gebruik geen ventileerder of enige menslike/kontroleerder inmenging nie. Die natuurlike dehumidifikasie word verkry deur die vogtige lug te sirkuleer deur ‘n lugkussing op die omtrek van die tonnel. Dag-en-nag temperatuur skommelings laat kondensasie toe binne-in die lugkussing sodra die lug benede die doupunttemperatuur afkoel. Dit is ‘n eenvoudige proses aangesien kouer nagte ‘n gegewe is. Byna geen navorsing is nog op soortgelyke sondroërs gedoen nie. Die doel van die tesis was om die werking en werkverrigting van ‘n sondroër wat hoë digtheid loofhout met behulp van natuurlike dehumidifikasie droog, te bestudeer. Die houtvrag het bestaan uit 20.1m 3 van hoë digtheid loofhout, Eucalyptus diversicolor, met ‘n gemiddelde lug-droë digtheid van 893 kg/m 3 . Die ZA Dry Q drogingskwaliteit toets het uitstaande resultate getoon. Daar was min drogingspannings, ‘n paar oppervlak krake en geen interne krake, sel-ineenstorting, kort-boog of oppervlak-verkleuring nie. Die resultate bevredig die ZA Dry Q naaldhout voorkomsgraad spesifikasie, behalwe vir end-krake – merkwaardig vir die droging van enige hoë digtheid loofhout. Die finale vogverspreiding was nou-verspreid met ‘n gemiddelde voggehalte van 11.5%, standaard afwyking van 0.97% en ‘n gemiddelde vog-gradiënt van ‘n 1.49%, standaard afwyking van 0.5%. Die voggehalte en vog-gradiënt was eweredig verspreid in al drie geometriese rigtings van die houtvrag. Die hout het in 130 dae gedroog. Die werking van die sondroër is geanaliseer deur temperatuur- en humiditeits-parameters by vyf posisies binne- en buite die droogkamer tegelykertyd met die voggehalte te monitor. Die omvang van vogverdamping uit die hout en dehumidifikasie van die lug is afgelei van hierdie data. Die gemiddelde daaglikse sondroër-temperatuur, wat onafhanklik van die buite temperatuur was, het verhoog van 18.0°C aanvanklik tot 25.7°C. Die maksimum temperatuur van 38.1°C is gemeet aan die end van droging. Sel-ineenstorting het nie voorgekom by hierdie lae temperature nie. Verdamping het algemeen voorgekom vanaf 07h30 tot 16h45, teen ‘n vertragende verdampingstempo by laer voggehaltes. Die stapelwydte-effek was van geen belang nie. Natuurlike dehumidifikasie deur kondensasie het gereeld voorgekom vanaf 17h00 tot 07h30. Die ewewigsvoggehalte (EVG) het outomaties verminder vanaf ‘n aanvanklike daaglikse gemiddelde van 18.1% (variasie van 5%) na 8% (variasie van 2%). Dit was soortgelyk aan ‘n gelykmatige T3C2 –drogingskedule. Die matige drogingskondisies, met EVG bokant 7.3%, het minimale vog-gradiënte en drogingspannings verseker wat oppervlak-krake en interne-krake verhoed het. Nagtelike houtvog egalisasie en kondisionering, vergelykbaar met puls-humiditeit skedules, was die gevolg van: geen verdamping, verbeterde diffusie in verhitte hout en adsorpsie van vog op die hout oppervlak. Die droogkamer het die hout beskerm teen buitengewone klimaatstoestande. Daar is gevind dat die hoof-waaier afgeskakel kan word vanaf 17h00 tot 07h30 en dat ‘n 30-minute nie-outomatiese ventilering smiddae kan plaasvind sodra veselversadigingspunt bereik is. Hierdie studie sal van nut wees vir die loofhout verwerkers wat hoë-digtheid loofhout moet droog binne ‘n redelike tydperk met ‘n uitstekende drogings-kwaliteit, asook houtverwerkers in opkomende lande of met gebrekkige drogingsvaardighede.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2017 / Tea is one of the most popular consumed beverages in the world, which has beneficial properties such as anti-oxidization, anti-carcinoma and preventing arteriosclerosis. The major essential components of catechins present in tea leaves, includes epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epicatechin (EC), gallocatechin (GC) and catechin (C). Influence of time-based hot air drying method on chemical composition of the Jatropha zeyheri Sond, widely consumed in rural communities of Zebediela (Khureng village), Limpopo Province, South Africa, was investigated. Four treatments, namely; 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours, were arranged in completely randomised design (CRD), replicated five times. The study demonstrated that drying significantly increased total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity and tannin content. It also demonstrated that drying significantly increased minerals elements; Mg, K, P, S, Al, Co, Mn, Si and Zn content and decreased Na, Ca and Ni and Zn quantities. Sodium-potassium ratio was very low across drying periods. Drying time did not significantly influence proximate chemicals; energy, protein, carbohydrates, ash and fibre content. Moisture and fat were significantly increased by drying period. Results of the study suggested that time-based hot air drying method improved the chemical composition of J. zeyheri, which has the potential of enhancing nutrition in marginal rural communities of Limpopo Province.

Solární sušení je mimo jiné energeticky nenáročná a tudíž vysoce ekologická cesta pro zpracování kalů z malých čistíren odpadních vod. Výsledkem tohoto procesu je produkt, který je velmi dobře použitelný v zemědělství jako přírodní hnojivo. V rámci této práce bude sestaven zjednodušený dynamický model sušení vrstvy kalu s jednou prostorovou souřadnicí. Tento model bude diskretizován pomocí vhodné numerické metody a bude provedena jeho implementace do výpočtového programu v prostředí MATLAB.

Le séchage des boues d'épuration est un problème environnemental actuel, qui n'est pas suffisamment décrit dans la littérature. Par conséquent, ce travail représente une étude numérique des transferts de chaleur et de masse lors du séchage solaire des boues d’épuration. Cette boue est assimilée à un milieu poreux et exposée à un écoulement laminaire de convection forcée à l'intérieur d'un canal horizontal. Les transferts dans le canal et le milieu poreux sont décrits respectivement par les équations classiques de la convection forcée et par le modèle de Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer. Une méthode implicite aux différences finies est utilisée pour discrétiser le système d'équations différentielles régissant les transferts. Les systèmes algébriques obtenus sont résolus en utilisant les algorithmes de Gauss, Thomas et Gauss-Seidel. Afin de déterminer la vitesse de séchage, nous associons à ces équations un modèle de cinétique de séchage. Ce modèle est basé sur le concept de la courbe caractéristique. Nous avons particulièrement étudié les effets des conditions climatiques et des conditions relatives à la boue sur les évolutions spatio-temporelles des nombres caractéristiques des transferts ainsi que sur la cinétique de séchage. Le travail est complété par des simulations en utilisant des données météorologiques réelles de la région de Tataouine au sud de la Tunisie. Ces données ont subi un traitement statistique à l’aide de la méthode de Liu et Jordan afin de déterminer la journée type de chaque mois. L’étude de rentabilité du séchoir a montré que la période estivale est la période optimale pour le séchage. / The drying of sewage sludge is a current environmental problem, not sufficiently described in the literature. Hence, the aim of this work is a numerical study of heat and mass transfers during solar drying of residual sludge. This sludge is assimilated to a porous medium and exposed to a forced convection laminar flow within a horizontal channel. The transfers in the channel and the porous medium are respectively described by the classic equations of forced convection and the Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer model. The implicit finite difference method is used to discretize the governing differential equation system. The algebraic systems obtained are solved using the Gauss, Thomas and Gauss-Seidel algorithms. To determine the drying rate, we associate a drying kinetics model. This model is based on the concept of the characteristic curve. We particularly studied the effects of climatic conditions (temperature, velocity and relative humidity of the ambient air as well as the solar radiation intensity) and the conditions relating to the sludge on the spatio-temporal evolutions of the transfers characteristic numbers as well as on drying kinetics. This work is completed by simulations using meteorological data from the Tataouine region in southern Tunisia. These data were statistically processed using the Liu and Jordan method to determine the typical day of each month. The rentability study of the dryer show that the summer period is the optimum period for drying.