Design and Fabrication of Smart Solar Powered Evaporative Desert Cooler for Preservation of Fruits/Vegetables in Maiduguri and Environs

Maina M. B., Musa H., Muhammad A. B., Abdulrahim A. T.

Abstract


The quality of fresh fruits and crops depends on post-harvest handling, transportation, distribution and storage. The design of a solar-powered evaporative cooling system was modified and fabricated by smartly operating to substantially improve the existing evaporative cooling systems around the study area and curb the rate of post-harvest losses. The system was modified by using locally available materials these include a Micro-processor (Arduino UNO), a water pump, a deep cycle battery, a solar panel, and a floater control switch in other to enhance the operational efficiency of the evaporative desert cooler by providing continuous energy and automating water distribution for the cooler using a sustainable energy source. The system average test results with no load show a significant difference between the ambient and Cooler relative humidity of 81.1% and 87.2% while the average dry bulb temperature was observed to be 26.2oC for the ambient and 24oC for the Cooler respectively showing tremendous achievement in the performance by maximally dropping the temperature and extending postharvest life for certain fruits and vegetables in the Cooler. Implementation of solar-powered appliances in different food preservation systems would offer a potential solution to the perishables wastage and shortage problems in the study area and the country by extension.


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References


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