In this episode, we talk with Greenhouse Solar Dryer, a Malaysian startup that is using solar energy to help farmers and fishermen dry their produce such as fruits, vegetables and seafood in a more sustainable and hygienic way.
In many developing countries, it is a common sight to see fishermen put their seafood out in the sun to be dried.
The same thing happens with farmers with their fruits and vegetables.
This method of drying agricultural produce is call sun drying.
In fact, this traditional method is still used in many parts of the world.
Different methods to dry fruits, vegetables and seafood
There are several different methods for drying fruits, vegetables and seafood, and each has their pros and cons.
Sun drying
Sun drying involves laying the fruit, vegetable or seafood out in the sun to dry. This method is the cheapest but is unsightly and most importantly, unhygienic, as the produce can be contaminated.
Dehydration
Dehydration involves using a dehydrator machine to dry the fruit. Dehydrators use heat and airflow to remove the moisture from the fruit.
Oven drying
Oven drying involves placing the fruit in a low-temperature oven to dry.
Air-drying
Air-drying involves hanging the fruit in a warm, dry place with good airflow to dry.
Microwave drying
Microwave drying involves use of microwave for quick drying of fruits.
Smoking
Smoking involves exposing the seafood to smoke from burning wood, which dries the seafood and imparts a smoky flavor.
Salt-curing
Salt-curing involves packing the seafood in salt or in a salt and sugar mixture, which draws out the moisture and preserves the seafood.
Canning
Canning involves packing seafood in jars with a liquid or oil, and then heating the jars to seal them and preserve the seafood.
Contact drying
Contact drying involves removing moisture through direct contact with a heated surface. The produce is placed in direct contact with a heated surface, such as a metal or stone plate, and the moisture is removed through evaporation.
Freeze-drying
Freeze-drying involves removing moisture through sublimation. The produce is first frozen to a very low temperature, typically below -40°F, and then placed in a vacuum chamber. The reduced pressure causes the frozen moisture (ice) to sublime directly from a solid state to a gaseous state, bypassing the liquid state. This process removes the majority of the water from the produce.
Giant dehydrator in the sky
Modern drying technologies like dehydrators, microwaves, ovens, contact drying and freeze-drying are usually more hygienic and more efficient, but they are energy intensive, and carbon dioxide is emitted during these processes.
Luckily, there is literally a giant dehydrator in the sky.
It’s called the sun.
By properly capturing solar energy, we can dry food without emitting greenhouse gases, therefore making agriculture more sustainable.
How does the greenhouse solar dryer (GHSD) work?
GHSD works by trapping natural solar heat radiation within its enclosed structure.
The enclosed structure circulates the hot air inside the GHSD.
GHSD is built with double glazed glass.
Glazed glass is insulated and filled with argon gas to retain the optimal amount of heat.
What are the different types of greenhouse solar dryer?
We provide various types of greenhouse solar dryers based on our clients’ needs.
Some of the types of GHSD include glass greenhouse solar dryer, flat pack portable solar dryer, polycarbonate greenhouse solar dryer, downdraft cabinet solar dryer, plastic greenhouse solar dryer and triangle solar dryer.
What products can be dried using the greenhouse solar dryer?
Greenhouse solar dryers can dry anything including any agriculture products, seafood products or even sludge.
What are the advantages of the greenhouse solar dryer compared to open air drying?
Firstly, by using GHSD, the drying time is increased by at least 50% compared to open air drying.
Heat is retained inside the greenhouse for up to 24 hours which helps to maintain consistent high temperature in the greenhouse for drying.
Secondly, GHSD is more hygienic compared to open air drying.
GHSD helps in reducing risks of spoilage and contamination by the infestation of microorganism and fungi, dust, dangerous bacteria, and animal excrement, as well as ingestion by various predators, including chickens, cats, birds, and others.
By using GHSD, we can improve the quality of the products in terms of taste, appearance and hygiene.
Besides, GHSD retains the nutrients of produce as the greenhouse filters UV light, which will otherwise cause the loss of vitamins and important nutrients.
From an operational perspective, GHSD helps in reducing operational costs as no machinery and large amounts of electricity are required to operate GHSD.
Since GHSD is an enclosed dryer, produce is protected from sudden wind and strong wind.
How can using the greenhouse solar dryer help reduce carbon dioxide emissions?
GHSD uses the solar drying method to operate.
It is a method that uses the sun’s energy to dry food items so they can be kept for longer periods of time.
Vacuum, freeze, and hot air drying are the traditional ways of drying.
These extremely complex drying techniques demand a significant financial outlay, which increases energy consumption and results in massive annual carbon emissions.
Farmers also have the option of using open-air drying in the sun, a conventional drying technique with drawbacks such as excessive food loss from weathering, poor drying, and insect invasion.
Solar dryer is a better alternative method combining both tradition and technology.
A solar dryer operates without power for the whole of its lifetime since solar energy is used as the fuel to heat the air.
Different food products require varied amounts of energy and emit different amounts of carbon.
An estimated 0.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide are emitted on average when one tonne of fresh fruits and vegetables is dried.
A tonne of carbon dioxide has a socioeconomic cost of $25.
Consider that a solar dryer with a 1 tonne capacity has a 20-year lifespan and that it takes 3 days to dry 1 tonne of fresh product.
It is estimated that one can save up to $50 per week and $2600 annually by utilising a solar dryer.
Otherwise, a conventional dryer will result in socioeconomic loss due to carbon emissions.
A solar dryer may save $52,000 in natural resources and 1040 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the course of its lifetime.
One solar dryer can reduce carbon emissions by around $52,000 over the course of 20 years.
Read more here: https://www.greenhousesolardryer.com/2022/02/how-solar-dryer-could-reduce-carbon-dioxide-emission/
How long does it usually take to build a greenhouse solar dryer?
The period of time to build a GHSD is varied based on the client’s needs and the design.
Nonetheless, the average time to build a GHSD is one to two weeks, excluding the manufacturing time.
The whole process, from understanding our clients’ needs to design, drawing, manufacturing, transportation, and building, could take up to 3 months to 12 months to complete.
How long can a greenhouse solar dryer last?
GHSD requires low maintenance effort. With proper maintenance, a GHSD could last forever.
Are you seeking funding to expand this business?
No.
Are you looking for partners?
Yes. We are looking for partners in sales and engineering. For more information, please visit https://www.greenhousesolardryer.com/partner-with-us/.
Summary
The greenhouse solar dryer is a simple yet effective way to dry agriculture produce without emitting carbon dioxide, compared to other modern industrial processes.
It utilizes only solar energy and can be implemented in almost every part of the world.
In the long run, the greenhouse solar dryer is a logical choice for farmers and fishermen.
This technology will play an important part in sustainable agriculture.