Smart Multipurpose Solar Dehydration Device for Value Addition to Specialty Crops

SummarySmart Multipurpose Solar Dehydration Device for Value Addition to Specialty CropsProject SummaryThe broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase II USDA-SBIR project is todevelop efficient crop dehydrators (dryers) powered by solar energy for the preservationof vital nutrients and shelf-life in dried foods. Drying is one of the oldest and cost- effective ways of preserving nutrients and increasing shelf-life in foods. It is one of themajor energy intensive processes where huge operating costs are incurred in operatingfood dehydrators which are typically powered by gas electricity or fuel oil. The highoperating cost limits the ability of small and mid-sized growers and processors in the U.S.in producing dehydrated foods. Small growers and processor are vital to the growinglocal foods and urban agriculture industry which is currently a $1 billion industry in theUnited States. Dehydration of foods such as fruits and vegetables herbs and spicesmedicinal plants etc. still occur using primitive open sun-drying methods on mats ortrays that degrade nutrients and reduce food quality. While there are a lot of solar dryerdesigns available in the literature and online none of them have been commercializedand being utilized in large numbers.The overall goal of Phase II project is to build upon the progress made in Phase I and thesuccessful proof-of-concept toward product design improvements and design formanufacture of the multipurpose solar dryer Dehymeleonâ„¢ (beta prototyping).JUA Technologies International (JTI) proposed high-efficiency smart multipurpose solardehydrator fits into USDA-NIFA SBIR Small and Midsized Program priorities in thedevelopment of new agricultural enterprises manufacturing energy efficient technologyfor the dehydration of foods and use of renewable energy by: (1) improving methods ofprocessing specialty crops to improve quality nutritional value and provide a healthyfood choice; (2) enabling small and mid-size growers add value to their crops and thusincrease their farm income; (3) providing small and mid-sized growers with an affordabletechnology which is powered by renewable energy conserves energy and thus reducingoperating cost; and (4) providing an energy efficient technology that promotes renewableenergy use on-farm and supporting environmental sustainability.Keywords: solar dryers (dehydrators) specialty crops renewable energy small/mid- sized farms.