Propuesta de deshidratador solar para secado de alimentos

Abstract

This study proposes the design and evaluation of a solar dehydrator aimed at drying food products by harnessing solar thermal energy, with the objective of minimizing conventional energy consumption and reducing the environmental impact associated with industrial dehydration processes. The research addresses the need for efficient, safe, and sustainable food preservation methods, avoiding excessive fossil fuel use and reducing post-harvest losses. The dehydrator is based on a mixed indirect configuration, combining a flat-plate solar air collector for heating and a vertical drying chamber with stacked trays, optimizing convective airflow and heat transfer. The design considers critical parameters such as available solar radiation, local climatic conditions, load capacity, thermal efficiency, and required drying time to achieve a 90% moisture reduction in selected agricultural products (habanero chili and tomato). Results show that under typical solar radiation conditions in high-insolation regions, the system can achieve significant drying with low operating costs, contributing to energy sustainability and offering a practical alternative for small-scale producers and rural communities. Finally, recommendations are provided for design optimization and system scalability toward commercial applications.