Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:58:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JoaoBSC_DISSERT_1-40.pdf: 4020421 bytes, checksum: 0d899aaf278ef09b1ceedc1d8064ebc4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-27 / In this work a solar drying system for food dehydration was developed. It is a direct exposition drying apparatus that uses solar energy to heat the circulating air. First, the construction and assembly of this apparatus was described, in which was used scrap wraps of used tires for thermal insulation, allowing the reuse of solid waste, being an ecologically correct recycling option. After, the results obtained in experiments for cashew drying showed the thermal and economical feasibility of the proposed solar drying system, focusing on the process of flour production and in its chemical characterization. It was also demonstrated the social importance of this production for socially excluded people, since the value added to this fruit, in relation to its in nature form, may represent an option for job and income generation. The main features of the proposed dryer are its low cost and its easy fabrication and assembly process. After cashew drying, the obtained product was processed into flour by using a knife mill and it was added crushed rapadura to reduce the rancid taste caused by tannin / Apresenta-se um sistema de secagem solar para a desidrata??o de alimentos utilizando um secador de exposi??o direta que trabalha em regime de circula??o natural. Abordam-se os processos de constru??o e montagem desse secador que utiliza isolante t?rmico de raspa de pneu, permitindo a reutiliza??o de materiais, constituindo-se numa op??o ambientalmente correta de reciclagem. O trabalho apresenta resultados de testes realizados para a secagem do caju que atestam as viabilidades t?rmicas e econ?micas do sistema de secagem solar proposto enfocando o processo de produ??o da farinha e an?lises qu?micas para caracteriz?-la. Ser? tamb?m demonstrada a import?ncia social que essa produ??o representa para a popula??o mais exclu?da uma vez que o valor agregado a essa fruta, em rela??o ao in natura, pode representar uma op??o de gera??o de emprego e renda. As principais caracter?sticas do secador proposto s?o seu baixo custo e simples processo de fabrica??o e montagem. Ap?s seco o caju foi transformado em farinha por meio de um moinho de faca, e posteriormente, foi adicionada rapadura triturada para amenizar o sabor ran?oso provocado pelo tanino