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Agro/Food Products Drying



Solar Fish Drying



Hygienic solar fish dryer at Chavakkad, Kerala


Project Overview

  • Typically, 70% of the fresh fish are taken for food - 20% of the fish are being sold in a dried form with or without salt - 5% of the fish which are damaged are used for cattle feed and a very negligible percentage of the fishes are goes for canning of export.
  • The most commonly used fish preserving techniques (traditional) are drying and salt curing. The open beach drying results in insects laying egg inside the fish that renders the product non-consumable.
  • This unhygienic drying cuts through the investment of the fishermen resulting in the loss of his meagre savings that drives him to absolute poverty.
  • Hygienic processing and value addition are two mantras for prosperity in the fish processing sector.
  • Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation – has empanelled SUN BEST’s solar dryer for promotion of hygienic solar fish drying in Kerala.
  • Under the program, SUNBEST has installed a 250 kg solar fish dryer at Chavakkad,


SUN BEST Solution


  • Towards enhancing the fishermen’s livelihood, SUN BEST has developed an advanced Solar Drier. SUN BEST’s Solar Air Drier has 3 key components:
    1. The Solar Collector (of area 45 m2) produces hot air taking the heat from Sun’s radiation; a low hp blower draws the air and transfers it
    2. Drier – A recirculation drier of varying capacity with Stainless steel (food grade) interiors & exteriors; the fish will be dried on Stainless steel (food grade) mesh trays placed on movable trolleys
    3. A biomass burning hot air generator as a back up during non-sunshine period.
  • A 0.75kW blower will suck the hot air and deliver it to the drier. Using insulated pipes the hot air is taken to a recirculation drier
  • The drier has a fan to circulate the hot air into the products and release moist air as exhaust
  • The solar collector has a life of 15+ years with periodic maintenance



Benefits

SUN BEST’s Solar Dryers

  • Provides dried fish in a clean and hygienic fashion
  • Have low recurring expenses unlike conventional fuels thus an excellent choice for fishing community improving their livelihood
  • Will provide employment to the local womenfolk