Solar Conduction Dryer

Product Description

The solar conduction dryer (SCD) is a solar powered food dehydrator, that uses all three types of heat transfer modes; conduction, convection and radiation. The product’s business model aims to integrate key stakeholders to create an ecosystem where the SCD creates a business opportunity for dehydrated food commercialization.

Target SDGs

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 1: No Poverty

Market Suggested Retail Price

$5,120.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The product is produced in India and distributors are being created in Kenya, also it is distributed through some NGO's and implementation agencies.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Kinosol Orenda Food Dehydrator, SunWorks Solar Food Dryer, and GoSol Sol4 Oven.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Made to order, loading capacity is 10-12 kg but can be customized per customer need.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Directly from manufacturer; S4S technologies.

Distributions to Date Status

Around 650 solar conduction dryers are operating in India and Kenya, impacting 3,000 lives. More than 1,200 farmer cooperatives across 8 countries are using it.

Drying capacity (lbs/m³)

39.4

Drying duration (hr)

12 hours of solar

Load capacity (m³)

0.67

Operating temperature range (°C)

39–51 °C

Temperature control

Number of trays

Materials of construction

Trays are coated with black color special food grade coating

Design Specifications

Design specification details of the solar dryer: The SCD has four drying chambers constructed from hollow sections of stainless steel. Each chamber has a drying tray which is covered with transparent plastic. The trays are coated with black color special food grade coating, where the products to be dried are placed. A low height air vent to create air current is provided at the middle of the dryer along horizontal direction which also separates the drying chambers in two parts.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

The manufacturer offers technical support as well as training through a partnership with NGO's and implementation agencies.

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Specified performance targets:

Can be easily assembled by two people locally.
Has a capacity of 12 kg/dryer.
Able to maintain 45% more nutrients.

Vetted Performance Status

Dehydrated products retain 80%-90% of key nutrients. It is said to increase in shelf life of products from 6 -12 months and to reduce 40% in post harvest losses. It meets international standards in terms of microbial count and aflatoxin level. The product is said to save 20 tons of CO2 throughout its lifetime. ^{Interview with representative}

Safety

Risk of burns from handling hot trays.

Complementary Technical Systems

The SCD designer identifies food processing companies which are interested in buying dehydrated products, and makes field trials to create samples for those companies so that a business contract can be made. The designer also works closely with NGO/implementation agencies to train farmers on the dryer's usage, processing and packaging.

Academic Research and References

Borah. A, Hazarika. K, Khayer S.M. 2015. Drying kinetics of whole and sliced turmeric rhizomes (Curcuma longa L.) in a solar conduction dryer. Information Processsing Agriculture. 2(2):85-92.

Compliance with regulations

The manufacturer has indicated compliance with international standards regarding microbial count and aflatoxin level. Materials such as stainless steel and black coating paint are special for food grade applications.

Other Information

Manufacturer details Product Brochure Design specification details of the solar dryer

Total market size for dehydrated products is $16 billion. Estimated demand for SCD’s in India and Kenya is 3 million dryers.
A 10-12 kg capacity SCD has a $542.76 price in India (converted from Indian Ruppes 6/23/2017) and the cost outside India is $640. For a 100 kg capacity SCD the price in India is $4342.13 and outside India $5,120. These prices do not include transportation and duties. Interview with representative.
Made to order, loading capacity is 10-12 kg but can be customized per customer need.