The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has inked a pact with Vishivkarma Solar Energy Corporation (Registered), Phillaur (Jalandhar) for licensing of Advanced Domestic Solar Dryer Technology. Dr Ashok Kumar, Additional Director of Research, PAU and Mr. Vijay Dhiman, Managing Partner, Vishivkarma Solar Energy Corporation signed the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Dr G.K. Sangha, Dean Postgraduate Studies was present at the occasion.
Dr. Sukhmeet Singh, Senior Research Engineer-cum-Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, PAU, informed that the Advanced Domestic Solar Dryer has separate solar air heater and drying chamber. It is a patented technology. The drying chamber is open-able at the top and has two trays placed one above the other.
The product to be dried is placed in the trayswith the dryer facing south, at a location where sunshine is available throughout the day. Generally the product gets dried in 1-4 days but drying time depends on the product and season.
It is worth mentioning that this technology has been jointly developed by Dr. Sukhmeet Singh, Dr. Parmpal Singh, Dr V.S. Hans, Dr. R.S. Gill and Dr. T.C. Mittal in the Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, PAU. Dr. Ashok Kumar ADR added that in comparison to open sun, the drying time in solar dryer reduces by 25-35%.
The quality of product dried in this dryer is superior to open sun drying. Its approximate cost is Rs.4000. Dr. S.S. Chahal, Adjunct Professor, Technology Marketing and IPR Cell informed that PAU has signed 195 MoAs and commercialized 44 technologies including hybrid lines of mustard, chilli, brinjal and varieties, bio-fertilizers, leaf colour chart, forced circulation solar dryer, low alcoholic naturally carbonated beverage, sugarcane juice bottling technology, water testing kit, products, apple cider, and other technologies.
Source: http://www.pau.edu/
