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Control Eng Lab Project
Control Eng Lab Project
SOLAR DEHYDRATOR
By
Sharjeel Ahmad BME203044
Faculty of Engineering
Islamabad
January, 2024
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Copyright © 2024 by CUST student
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form requires the prior written
permission of Sharjeel Ahmad, Haroon Yaseen, Hamza Kayani, Ali Hassan or designated
representative.
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Declaration
It is declared that this is an original piece of our own work, except where otherwise acknowledged
in text and references. This work has not been submitted in any form for another degree or diploma
at any university or other institution for tertiary education and shall not be submitted by us in future
for obtaining any degree from this or any other University or Institution.
Sharjeel Ahmad
BME203044
Haroon Yaseen
BME203019
Hamza Kayani
BME203072
January, 2024
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Abstract
Control Engineering principles are employed in this project to optimize the performance of a solar
dehydrator through automated fan speed control. The aim is to regulate the drying environment
efficiently by leveraging sensors and control mechanisms. An array of environmental sensors,
including temperature and humidity sensors, interfaces with a microcontroller-based control
system. This system dynamically adjusts the speed of the dehydrator's fans in response to real-time
environmental data. The report details the design, implementation, and performance evaluation of
this automated control system. Through experimentation and analysis, the efficacy of the system
in maintaining optimal drying conditions and enhancing the efficiency of the solar dehydrator is
assessed. The results demonstrate the advantages of employing control engineering techniques,
showcasing improved energy utilization, enhanced drying rates, and better preservation of the
quality of dried products. The project underscores the practical application of control engineering
principles in agricultural technology, contributing to sustainable food processing and storage
practices.
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Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Overview ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Components:................................................................................................................................................ 9
Block Diagram........................................................................................................................................... 16
Conclusion: ................................................................................................................................................ 18
Reference: .................................................................................................................................................. 19
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Table of figures:
Figure 1: Arduino Uno .................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 2: LCD display .................................................................................................................. 10
Figure 3: RTD ............................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 4: Humidity sensor ............................................................................................................ 10
Figure 5: Battery ........................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 6: Fan ................................................................................................................................. 11
Figure 7: Blower feedback control system ................................................................................... 15
Figure 8: Block Diagram .............................................................................................................. 16
Figure 9: Experimental setup ........................................................................................................ 16
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Introduction
Solar dehydrators offer a sustainable and energy-efficient solution for preserving agricultural
produce by harnessing the power of the sun. However, the effective operation of these dehydrators
is contingent upon maintaining optimal drying conditions, which often fluctuate due to varying
environmental factors. Addressing this challenge, this report delves into the development and
implementation of an automated fan speed control system tailored for solar dehydrators. By
integrating control engineering principles and sensor technology, this system aims to dynamically
regulate the fan speeds in response to real-time changes in ambient conditions such as temperature
and humidity.
Overview
For centuries, agricultural produce and various items have been traditionally dried using natural
resources like solar and wind energy in outdoor settings. The primary goal has been preservation
for future use, particularly with fruits and vegetables. However, in more developed regions, the
practice of outdoor drying has largely been replaced by mechanically powered dryers. These
modern systems incorporate solar collectors and additional mechanisms to heat incoming air, along
with fans or blowers to circulate it through the drying chamber. Compared to outdoor drying,
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mechanical drying proves to be more efficient, requiring less space while often yielding higher-
quality products. Common food preservation methods include open sun drying, refrigeration, and
the use of preservatives, though the latter can impact food quality due to chemical effects.
Conversely, food items obtained from dehydrators tend to retain better nutrient content, hygiene
standards, and natural color. Solar-powered food dehydrators serve the purpose of preserving food
for extended periods by utilizing solar energy, making them both effective and cost-efficient.
1. Agricultural and Food Processing Applications: These dehydrators play a crucial role
in preserving a variety of produce such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Their function
ensures a uniform drying process, prolonging the shelf life of harvested goods. This method
aids in reducing food wastage and enables farmers to extend the marketability of their
crops, surpassing their typical perishable duration.
2. Community Empowerment Initiatives: In remote or rural areas, automated solar
dehydrators contribute significantly to local economic growth. They empower
communities by providing the means to process surplus produce into dried items, creating
value-added products for sale or personal use.
3. Emergency Response and Humanitarian Aid: In times of crisis or within regions lacking
consistent access to electricity, automated solar dehydrators are instrumental in preserving
food supplies. They serve as a solution for prolonged storage and transportation of
perishable items, supporting relief endeavors and ensuring food stability.
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4. Industrial Food Sector: Larger-scale automated solar dehydrators are seamlessly
integrated into food processing facilities. Their efficiency in drying substantial quantities
of produce, herbs, or spices contributes significantly to the production of dried foods for
broader commercial markets.
5. Advancements in Research and Development: These dehydrators serve as valuable tools
for conducting experiments on drying methodologies, optimizing energy consumption, and
enhancing the quality of resulting products. They pave the way for progress in solar
technology and automated systems aimed at sustainable food preservation techniques.
Components:
2. LCD display: LCD screens are an array of small segments called pixels, which can be
manipulated for information displaying. Such displays have several layers, where two
panels, made of glass material free of sodium and called substrate, play a crucial role.
The substrate contains a thin layer of liquid crystals between them.
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Figure 2: LCD display
3. Temperature sensor (PT-100) and humidity sensor: A particular kind of RTD, the PT100
Temperature Sensor, is made of a platinum wire whose resistance rises with temperature
and is 100 ohm at room temperature. It makes it simple and efficient to test a variety of
temperatures. The PT100 sensor has the benefit of opening the circuit and letting you
know when it has to be replaced, unlike other sensors that weaken over time and provide
inaccurate results.
Figure 3: RTD
4. The humidity sensor is a device that senses, measures, and reports the relative humidity
(RH) of air or determines the amount of water vapor present in gas mixture (air) or pure
gas.
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5. 12-V DC battery: DC stands for direct current, and DC battery are the batteries that
provide direct current. Almost all batteries belong to DC battery, but in many large-scale
application scenarios, we need inverters to convert the DC current in the battery into AC
current for the load to use.
Figure 5: Battery
6. DC fan: 12V, 0.2A, with an airflow capacity of 50 CFM. Compact design, durable
construction, and low power consumption for efficient solar-powered operation.
Figure 6: Fan
Arduino code
*thermistor parameters:
TO: 25 C
*+5%
const int ENA = 9 // pin configuration for enable pin to control speed of motor 0-255. 0 for minimum and
255 for maximum
Int en_val = 0;
#define B 3977 K
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//---------------------------------------
#Variables
void setup ()
Serial.begin(9600);
T0=25+273;
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Serial.print (temp + 273.15) //Conversion to Kelvin
Serial.print (^ prime prime Ku u^ prime prime );
Serial.print ((temp * 1.8) + 32) //Conversion to Fahrenheit
Serial.println ("F");
//control speed
en\ v al = temp * 10 ; //multiplying factor if( val > 0 && en_val<256)
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analogWrite(ENA, en_val);
displaying on LCD
#16 columns and 2 rows
led.clear():
lcd.setCursor(0,0);
lcd.print("Temp:");
lcd.print(temp.2);//upto 2 decimal places...
led.print("C");
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("PWM Val:");
led print(en_val):
else
{
analogWrite(ENA, 0);
led.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0,0);
led.print("PWM Locked:0");
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
led.print("T:");
led print(temp.2); //upto 2 decimal places....
lcd.print("C");
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lcd.print("PWM:");
lcd.print(en_val);
#control direction
digitalWrite(INI, HIGH);
delay(1000); // interval of fetching data from sensor
Experimental setup
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Block Diagram
Experimental setup:
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Alignment with SDG’s
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Conclusion:
In conclusion, the development and implementation of the Automated Fan Control System for our
Solar Dehydrator showcase the practical application of control engineering principles in
optimizing the drying process. Through meticulous sensor integration, precise microcontroller
programming, and seamless actuator control, we have effectively regulated airflow and
temperature, ensuring efficient dehydration while maximizing energy from solar sources. This
project underscores the significance of control engineering in harnessing renewable energy for
sustainable and automated solutions in agricultural practices.
Moving forward, further refinements and scalability considerations could enhance its
applicability, contributing to advancements in both control systems and renewable energy
utilization. Additionally, the successful integration of various components—sensors,
microcontrollers, actuators, and power management systems—has demonstrated the synergy
required for an automated and optimized drying process. The system's adaptability to varying
environmental conditions highlights its potential for real-world applications, aiding agricultural
communities in preserving produce efficiently and sustainably.
This project has not only expanded our understanding of control engineering principles but also
emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing practical challenges.
The acquired insights into designing, implementing, and fine-tuning an automated system for
solar-powered dehydration lay a foundation for future innovations in agricultural technology.
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Reference:
[1] Fernandez, Lysate, José R. Fernandez, and Pedro B. Tavares. "Design of a Friendly Solar Food
Dryer for Domestic Over-Production." In Solar, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 495-508. MDPI, 2022.
[2] Hyder, Mohammad Javed, Muhammad Junaid Khan, Muhammad Abdullah Khan, and Salman
Saeed. "The Design and Development of a Solar Dehydrator for Fruits." Engineering Proceedings
45, no. 1 (2023): 48.
[3] Abhay Lingayat, Ramakrishna Balijepalli, V.P. Chandra Mohan, Applications of solar energy
based drying technologies in various industries – A review, Solar Energy, Volume 229, 2021.
[4] U. Sundari, P. Neelamegam, "Performance Evaluation of a Solar Drier with Evacuated Tube
Collector for Drying Amla", International Journal of Heated Convection, 2013.
[5] A. El-Sebaii and S. Shalaby, Experimental Investigation of Drying Thymus Coat Leaves in
Indirect Solar Dryer With Phase Change Material", Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, vol.
139, no. 6, 2017.
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