Solar food drying Presentation for Thai delegation

Solar Food Drying

Gordon Hirst: Chief Engineer LIRE/SLBSunlabob Renewable Energy, LtdLao PDR

29 November, 2012

Solar Food Drying

What is Sunlabob?Laos-based social enterprise

that specializes in renewable energy & clean water projects in developing regions of the world.

Solutions & Technologies:Solar PVMini-hydro powerWater purificationEnergy efficiency

Operating in:Southeast AsiaAfricaIndiaPacific Islands

Solar Food Drying

• Sunlabob Mission

Profit-driven, socially-minded business approach Focus on economic, social and environmental sustainability Deliver clean energy and water to rural, off-grid populations

Solar Food Drying

• Lauching of Sunlabob

2001: The first commercial company working in the field of renewable energy in the Lao PDR

Aim: Provide renewable energy solutions to rural areas not yet connected to the national grid.

Founders: Andy Schroeter and Saleumphone Vongsakhampui

Solar Food Drying

• Benefits of Solar Food DryingClean energyReduction of energy costsClean drying (no smoke)Reduction in GHG’s (Carbon Credits ?)Hygienic

• Disadvantages of Solar Food DryingNot controllable and production is dependant on natural Phenomenon

Solar Food Drying

Conversion of solar irradiation into usable energy

•Solar power PV cells (Not suitable for solar drying)

•Solar Thermal (liquid)•Solar Air

Solar Food Drying

• Solar PV cells

Solar Food Drying

• Principles of solar thermal (water) drying

Solar Food Drying

• Principles of solar air drying

Solar Food Drying

• Principles of solar air drying

Solar Food Drying

Solar air vs Solar thermal• Solar air

Simpler and cheaper Much less moving parts Does not require a thermal transfer stage Easier to expand system

• Solar thermal Higher irradiation absorption Heat storage capacity is greater

Solar Food Drying

• Solar survey theory

Solar Food Drying

• Heat energy required

Solar Food Drying

• Solar survey

Heat energy (solar irradiation) x ɳ (inefficiency : heat loss)≥ Heat energy required

Energy input profile required by food crop = heat generation profile.

Solar Food Drying

Solar surveyBasic heat energy equationQ = mCpΔtWhere:m = mass flow rateCp = Specific heat capacity of air = 1.005 Kj/Kg KΔt = Temperature differential

Volumetric flow rateVq = m/ρWhere:Ρ = density of air: dependant on altitude

Solar Food Drying

• System design

1. Solar collectors design2. Integration with building structure (wind and static loading)3. Air collection and transportation (Ductwork)4. Blower5. Back Up system6. Filtration7. Control8. Dryers

Solar Food Drying

• System design

Solar Food Drying

• Solar collectors

Solar Food Drying

• Solar collectors

Solar Food Drying

• Blower

Solar Food Drying

• Blower duty

Solar Food Drying

• Back up system

Solar Food Drying

• Filter

Solar Food Drying

• Control

Solar Food Drying

• Control

Solar Food Drying

• Static bed driers

Solar Food Drying

• Drum Dryers

Solar Food Drying

• Solar drying examples

Solar Food Drying

• Solar drying examples

Solar Food Drying

• Carbon Credits

Use of renewable energy is a fuel switch from fossil fuel and is eligible for carbon credits.

CDM MethodologyAMS- I.E ver 5 Switch from non-renewable biomass for thermal applications by the user

Sunlabob Contact

Thank YouSunlabob Renewable Energy, Ltd

PO Box 9077, Vientiane, Lao PDRTel: (+856-21) 313874 - Fax: (+856-21) 314045

contact@sunlabob.com www.sunlabob.com