Design and Construction of Solar Powered Fabric Dryer

In recent times, global climate has been marked with unpredictable patterns characterized by flash floods, rising temperatures, desertification, melting glaciers as a result of global warming. The aftermath of incessant and indiscriminate fossil fuel combustion is a major contributor to the global warming quotient. In the wake of this unnerving fact, current research focus is on discovery and utilizing of alternate energy sources devoid of these debilitating effects. This search has ultimately led to solar energy which is a fore most sustainable energy resource and readily available in many parts of the globe. A second objective is that different seasons affect the peak sun hour (PSH) available in various localities. The unpredictability of isolation is the problem this research seeks to address. This solar dryer was constructed with one 200 W, monocrystalline silicon solar panel connected in circuit to a DC motor and an exhaust fan. The drying cabinet which houses the dryer is also made of solar absorbent materials thus, evaporation occurs through the walls and the roof. The working principle of the solar drying system is based on the utilization of solar energy to dry any type of fabric loaded into it. The designed solar powered cloth dryer has an efficiency of 66.43% achieved in 1 hour and 30 minutes. This drier was fabricated solely from environmentally friendly materials.