The Republic of Guinea is located on the west coast of Africa at about 11° North latitude. A large portion of Guinea's supply of protein is dried fish. The actual drying method operates under open air, the foodstuff being unprotected from unexpected rains, windborne dirt and dust, and from infestation by insects, rodents, and other animals. More, the deforestation rate is increasing year after year, depleting the source of fuel for drying. Practical ways of drying fish cheaply and sanitarily would be welcome.The present work develops a prototype solar dryer on the basis of natural convection of air. The device is comprised of a glazed flat plate collector, a furnace with translucent walls, and an air tunnel adjoining the two. Air entering the collector is heated and flows into the furnace where energy is absorbed by pieces of fish placed on horizontal racks. The air exits through an opening in the top of the device carrying moisture with it.Using the prototype solar dryer, a fish drying experiment was conducted at the Center for Energy Research, Education, and Service (CERES) at Ball State University. The primary objectives were to investigate drying rates, times, and loads expected for a dryer constructed using simple techniques and materials readily available in the Republic of Guinea. The drying experimental results are in many ways similar to those reported by previous authors.The solar dried product appears to be superior to the product of current drying methods and the foodstuff is protected from infestation or contamination during drying.Future work suggested by the project experience includes refinement of the dryer design and additional fish drying experimentation. An economic analysis would also yield information on the feasibility of widespread use of solar dryers for drying of fish in the Republic of Guinea. / Department of Physics and Astronomy
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/183741 |
| Date | January 1989 |
| Creators | Diallo, Alseyni |
| Contributors | Ball State University. Dept. of Physics and Astronomy., Cosby, Ronald M. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | x, 66 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | f-gv--- |
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