Drier with solar radiation simulation

Abstract

The present invention is a portable drier with solar simulator that can be used by small or medium scale farmers, which provides drying of the fruits and vegetables in general in the agriculture sector, in an organic manner through natural methods, which benefits from IR and UV rays during this process, and as a result, creates a difference in the extension of their shelf life, and which, in order to protect human health, minimizes the chemical remnants that cause diseases.

Claims

1. A method with solar simulator used in a drying process of foodstuff, comprising: exposing fresh foodstuff laid on trays to IR-UV rays, wherein the IR-UV rays are at 100-400 nm which enables an elimination of microorganisms, bacteria, and fungus; directing water vapor evaporated from the foodstuff exposed to IR-UV rays towards an aluminum condensation surface by one or more fans; condensing water vapor at the aluminum condensation surface and flowing the condensed water vapor through a liquid discharge channel to a discharge; lifting the trays by an arm or motor when the drying process is completed; and transferring a dried foodstuff to a product discharge section.

2. The of claim 1 further comprising vibrating the trays after exposure of the fresh foodstuff to enlarge the surface of the said foodstuff which is exposed to IR-UV rays during the drying process using at least one resonance motor.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising, when the drying process is completed, vibrating the lifted tray and discharging the dried foodstuff from trays.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising following the termination of the drying process rotating trays by 10-90, preferably 15.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising selection of process parameters prior to the drying process using a computerized control unit, the process parameters comprising angles of IR-UV slots, an amount of IR-UV rays, drying duration, fan speed and angle, vibration frequency of a resonance motor, which were adjusted optimally in compliance with the characteristics of the foodstuff through a module program installed in the computer.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising a solar simulator which the user can select settings according to each foodstuff.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising a solar simulator which the user can select settings according to each foodstuff.

8. A drier with solar simulator used in a drying process of foodstuff, comprising: IR-UV slots for passing IR-UV rays, which provide a drying process and occurrence of vitamin D synthesis within the foodstuff placed on trays during the said drying process; and one or more fans for directing water vapor evaporated from the foodstuff exposed by IR-UV rays towards an aluminum condensation surface.

9. The drier with solar simulator of claim 8 wherein the trays comprise small holes so that air can flow through them.

10. The drier with solar simulator of claim 8 further comprising at least one resonance motor providing vibration to trays to enlarge a surface area of the foodstuff exposed to IR-UV rays.

11. The drier with solar simulator of claim 8 further comprising at least one aluminum condensation surface enabling water vapor which is removed from the said foodstuff exposed by IR and UV rays and directed by one or more fans to become liquid.

12. The drier with solar simulator of claim 11 further comprising cooling liquid channels to support condensation taking place on the aluminum condensation surface.

13. The drier with solar simulator of claim 11 further comprising a liquid discharge channel enabling discharge of water vapor which is liquidized on the aluminum condensation surface.

14. The drier with solar simulator of claim 8 further comprising a product discharge section that takes dried foodstuff from trays.

15. The drier with solar simulator of claim 14 further comprising a rotation mechanism or motor that provides a rotation of trays by 10 to 90 in order to transfer dried foodstuff to a product discharge section.

16. The drier with solar simulator of claim 8 further comprising a rotation mechanism or motor that provides a rotation of trays by 10 to 90 in order to transfer dried foodstuff to a product discharge section.

17. The drier with solar simulator of claim 8 wherein the IR-UV rays have a wavelength in the range of 100 nm to 400 nm.

18. The drier with solar simulator of claim 17 wherein the IR-UV rays comprise UVB rays, to cause vitamin D synthesis by a wavelength of 290-320 nm.

19. The drier with solar simulator of claim 8 wherein the IR-UV rays comprise UVB rays, to cause vitamin D synthesis by a wavelength of 290-320 nm.

20. The drier with solar simulator of claim 8 further comprising a computer control system which provides settings of drying parameters to be applied separately for each foodstuff item and a selection by a name of the product displayed on a computer screen based on the foodstuff.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1: The front view of the drier in the present invention

(2) FIG. 2: The diagonal view of the drier in the present invention

LEGEND

(3) TABLE-US-00001 NO NAME OF THE PART 1 Tray 2 IR - UV Slot 3 Aluminum Condensation Surface 4 Cooling Liquid Channel 5 Resonance Motor 6 Fan 7 Insulation Material 8 Liquid Discharge Channel 9 Product Discharge Section

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

(4) In the drier with solar simulator; there are trays (1) of which the dimensions and number may vary. The fresh products (fruits, vegetables) to be dried are placed on the mentioned trays (1). There are very small holes in the structure of the mentioned trays (1) which enable air flow to pass through.

(5) In the drier with solar Simulator; there are IR-UV slots (2) (IR-UV sources) that provide the rays required for the drying process to be sent to the mentioned trays (1). The number of the mentioned IR-UV slots (2) vary as based on the dimensions of the trays (1). IR and UV rays mix is released from IR-UV slots (2). IR-UV rays mix is sent at the amount, duration and angle required by the drying process which is determined and selected over the computer panel. This way, the water and moisture content in the structure of the foodstuff, which is placed on the trays (1) are evaporated and removed.

(6) The mentioned vapor is directed by the fans (6) on one side of the drier with solar simulator towards the aluminum condensation surface (3) on the other side. For an effective condensation, the mentioned aluminum condensation surface (3) is supported by the cooling liquid channels (4) through which cold water runs.

(7) In the drier with solar simulator, all the surfaces, except the aluminum condensation surface (3), are covered by insulation material (7).

(8) In order to turn the foodstuff during drying process; there are resonance motors (5) under each tray (l). Vibration can be given to the trays (1) at the desired duration and at the desired intensity by the mentioned resonance motors (5). The foodstuff on the tray (l) is also moved by this vibration. This way, the surface area on the foodstuff which is influenced by IR-UV rays is enlarged.

(9) Following the termination of the drying process; the trays (1) are rotated by 10 to 90 (preferably 15) by an arm or a motor connected to them. Upon rotation of the trays (1); the dried products are transferred to the product discharge section (9) located at the bottom part of the drier. The dried products are transferred to the packing unit from the mentioned product discharge section (9) via closed conveyor system. This way, dried products are packed and put out on market at the desired amounts and sizes without any manual contact.

(10) As a model version of the invention, the food drying method in the drier with solar simulator is realized as follows:

(11) The user places the fresh foodstuff (fruit, vegetable), which is desired to be dried, on the trays (1) of the drier with solar simulator. Then the user selects the (identified) drying process (program) from the computer control unit, which is appropriate for the foodstuff on the tray (l). Based on the drying program selected; the parameters such as angles of IR-UV slots (2), amounts of IR-UV rays, drying time, fan (6) speed and angle, vibration frequency of the resonance motor (5) etc. are adjusted optimally in compliance with the characteristics of the product on the tray (l).

(12) The drying process is carried out by the IR-UV radiation given from the IR-UV slots (2). While the product on the tray (l) is exposed to IR-UV radiation, the resonance motors (5) provide the vibration of the tray (l). By the vibration of the tray (l), the surface of the product on the tray (l), which is exposed to IR-UV radiation is increased. Thanks to the micro holes on the trays (1), formation of the air flow on the surface of the foodstuff contacting the tray (l) is enabled.

(13) The evaporation process of the water content in the fresh foodstuff, which is exposed to IR-UV radiation, starts. Moreover, vitamin D synthesis is started in the foodstuff, thanks to UV radiation.

(14) Water vapor evaporated from the foodstuff is directed to the aluminum condensation surface (3) via the fan (6) or the fans (6). Water vapor arriving at the aluminum condensation surface (3) is condensed (becomes liquid again) and flows to the liquid discharge channel (8). There are cooling liquid channels (4) within the structure of the aluminum condensation surface (3). Condensation process is faster and more effective thanks to the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid channels (4).

(15) When the drying process is completed; the trays (1) are rotated for example by 45 by an arm or a motor. When the trays (1) are rotated; dried foodstuff falls into the product discharge section (9). The dried products are transferred to the packing unit from the mentioned product discharge section (9) by a closed conveyor system. This way, dried products are packed and put out on market at the desired amounts and sizes without any manual contact.

(16) In addition; drying processes according to each foodstuff is programmed in the computer control unit of the drier with solar simulator. The user can select the settings according to each foodstuff, by a single selection.