Economic evaluation of a tunnel type solar dryer

Abstract

Abstract : A tunnel type solar dryer was fabricated in the farmyard of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh in 2000. The study was conducted to evaluate the economic performance of tunnel type solar dryer and that of traditional sun drying for fish, vegetable and fruits. Data used in this study was collected from experiment and literature. The market values of the raw materials and their products used were considered for cost analysis. Annual operating cost of tunnel type solar dryer was found Tk. 19,773.32 and that of traditional sun drying was Tk. 13,593.60. Annual drying loss for tunnel dryer was found Tk. 1661.00 only whereas annual drying loss for traditional sun drying was found Tk.49555.80. The Expected Net Present Value (ENPV,) of cost of tunnel dryer with drying losses was Tk.205240.80 but ENPVS of cost of sun drying with losses was Tk.493,429.93. So a significant amount of money can be saved every year by using tunnel type solar dryer.