IJETSI

Title: DEVELOPMENT OF A MICROCONTROLLER-BASED PHOTOVOLTAIC POWERED CROP-DRYER FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Authors: Adejumobi, O.K., Adejumobi, O.A., Akindele, O.A, Sadiq, M.O.
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1Computer Engineering Department, The Polytechnic, Ibadan. 2Electrical Engineering Department, The Polytechnic, Ibadan
MLA 8 O.K., Adejumobi, et al. "DEVELOPMENT OF A MICROCONTROLLER-BASED PHOTOVOLTAIC POWERED CROP-DRYER FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA." IJETSI, vol. 2, no. 4, 2017, pp. 671-679, ijetsi.org/more2017.php?id=55. APA O.K., A., O.A., A., O.A., A., & M.O., S. (2017). DEVELOPMENT OF A MICROCONTROLLER-BASED PHOTOVOLTAIC POWERED CROP-DRYER FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA. IJETSI, 2(4), 671-679. Retrieved from http://ijetsi.org/more2017.php?id=55 Chicago O.K., Adejumobi, Adejumobi O.A., Akindele O.A., and Sadiq M.O. "DEVELOPMENT OF A MICROCONTROLLER-BASED PHOTOVOLTAIC POWERED CROP-DRYER FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA." IJETSI 2, no. 4 (2017), 671-679. http://ijetsi.org/more2017.php?id=55.
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Abstract: One of the major contributory factors responsible for the economic non-viability in farming is farmer's inability to handle and store produce efficiently hence leading to the reduction of the quality and even destruction of produce available for sale. The investment into farming can be preserved not only upon the capacity to grow in large quantity, but also upon the facilities for efficient handling, drying and storage before marketing. This paper therefore, presents the 'Development of a Microcontroller-Based Photovoltaic Powered Crop-Dryer as a Strategy for the Improvement of Agricultural Sector in Nigeria'. Although the design can be used for various drying purposes, the focus is on its use for drying agricultural produce (Ginger). This Solar dryer comprises of a PIC Microcontroller, a Perspex-covered flat Plate Collector, the drying Chamber, Heater and a d.c. Blower (suction fan) powered by a solar module. This solar dryer with improved features will in no doubt increase the income of farmers and industrialists who need to preserve their products by dehydration in a developing nation like Nigeria. In the Crop dryer, dehydration of samples was carried out at temperatures 32'C, 40'C and 50'C. In this design, the drying of the produce and the powering of the suction fan and heater are both solar driven that is why the Dryer can be used on farm where there is no public power supply. The PIC Microcontroller is used to turn ON the fan at very high temperature, and to turn the heater at low temperatures in order to maintain the temperature of the drying Chamber. However, for drying to continue in the absence of solar radiation it is recommended a battery be provided as power back-up.

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