Drying Effect of Energy Storage Enhanced Multilayer Solar Dryer (ESEMSD) Parameters on the Physicochemical Properties of Dried Ogi

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of Enhanced Multilayer Solar Dryer on some physical properties of ogi powder. The ogi was subjected to different variations inside the Enhanced Multilayer Solar Dryer like fan application, no fan application, placement of tray (Topmost tray and middle tray) and the kind of storage (thermal storage and no thermal storage). At all placement levels inside the dryer, the moisture content and drying rate decreased significantly with an increase in drying time and temperature. The Bulk density follows a similar trend at all levels of variations in the dryers, ranging from 0.64 to 0.74 g/cm3. The result shows that, sedimentation volumes were not influenced by variations in the solar dryer and the values vary from 15 to 45 cm3. The titratable acidity ranges from 0.79 to 1.07 g/L. It was observed in this research that, the Enhanced Multilayer Solar Dryer had less or no impact on the Physico-chemical Properties of dried ogi and can be an alternative use, especially in locations with limited access to electricity.