AUTOMATED FAN CONTROL SYSTEM FOR

SOLAR DEHYDRATOR

By
Sharjeel Ahmad BME203044

Haroon Yaseen BME203019

Hamza Kayani BME203072

Ali Hassan BME203038

A project report submitted to the DEPARTMENT OF MECANICAL

ENGINEERING in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of
BACHELORS OF SCIENCE in MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Faculty of Engineering

Capital University of science and technology

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

Syed Ali Hassan Bukhari

BME203038

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

Purpose of the project ................................................................................................................................. 8

Applications of the project ......................................................................................................................... 8

Components:................................................................................................................................................ 9

Control Feedback System: ....................................................................................................................... 11

Arduino IDE .............................................................................................................................................. 12

Arduino code ............................................................................................................................................. 12

Experimental setup ................................................................................................................................... 15

Block Diagram........................................................................................................................................... 16

Experimental setup: .................................................................................................................................. 16

Alignment with SDG’s .............................................................................................................................. 17

SDG-7: Affordable and Clean Energy: ................................................................................................... 17

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: ................................................................................... 17

SDG 13: Climate Action: ........................................................................................................................ 17

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.

This introduction provides an overview of the significance of solar dehydrators in food

preservation, the challenges associated with maintaining consistent drying conditions, and sets the
stage for exploring the design, implementation, and outcomes of the automated fan speed control
system, emphasizing its potential to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of solar dehydration
processes. This report aims to explore the pivotal role of control engineering in optimizing solar
dehydrator performance. The traditional approach to solar dehydration often lacks adaptability to
environmental fluctuations, leading to suboptimal drying rates and inconsistent product quality. In
contrast, the integration of control engineering principles offers a proactive solution by enabling
the system to autonomously adjust fan speeds based on real-time sensor data. This dynamic control
mechanism not only streamlines the drying process but also contributes to energy efficiency by
tailoring fan operations to specific environmental conditions. By elucidating the design intricacies,
implementation challenges, and performance evaluations of the automated fan speed control
system, this report aims to showcase the efficacy of control engineering in enhancing the
reliability, efficiency, and versatility of solar dehydrators.

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.

Purpose of the project

The conventional methods of food preservation often encounter limitations in efficiency,
reliability, and scalability. In the context of solar dehydration, while utilizing solar energy has
proven to be a sustainable approach, there exist challenges in ensuring consistent and optimal
drying conditions. Manual monitoring and intervention often result in inconsistencies and
inefficiencies in the dehydration process. This report seeks to explore the specific problems
associated with traditional solar dehydration methods and how the incorporation of automation
can potentially revolutionize these processes to achieve enhanced performance and productivity.

Applications of the project

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:

1. Arduino Uno micro controller: A computer controller on a single chip is known as a

microcontroller. It is equipped with several electronic circuits that can read textual
instructions and transform them into electrical impulses. The microcontroller will then go
through these commands one at a time and carry them out. As an illustration of this, the
blower speed might be controlled by a microcontroller in accordance with the room's
temperature.

Figure 1: Arduino Uno

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.

Figure 4: Humidity sensor

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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

Control Feedback System:

The design and modeling of the blower speed control system in this project are based on the room
temperature and use the pulse width modulation (PWM) approach. The room's temperature was
measured using a temperature sensor, and the fan's speed was then adjusted using PWM
technology in accordance with that measurement. The Arduino serves as the system's brains. Inputs
from the PT-100 temperature sensor, which enables for the measurement of the present room
temperature, are accepted by the device. The controller then acts to maintain the desired blower
speed. Depending on the room temperature, which is shown on the liquid crystal display, the duty
cycle is adjusted from 0 to 100, controlling the fan speed. When using the pulse width modulation
(PWM) approach, the baseband signal is used to determine how wide the periodic sequence pulses
should be. Pulse Duration Modulation is an additional name for PWM.
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Arduino IDE
A microcontroller is a central computer control system. It is equipped with several electronic
circuits that can read textual instructions and transform them to electrical impulses. The
microcontroller will then go through each of these instructions one by one and execute them. A
microprocessor, for example, might be used to regulate the fan speed based on the room's
temperature. The Arduino IDE is a Windows-based cross-platform program developed in C and
C++ functions. It's used to program Arduino-compatible boards and upload them. The Arduino
IDE has specific code structure guidelines to support the languages C and C ++ The Arduino IDE
comes with a software library that includes several typical input and output methods from the
wiring project.
The design and modelling of the blower speed control system based on the pulse width modulation
technique. The room's temperature was measured using a temperature sensor. Using PWM
technology, the fan's speed was adjusted in accordance with that measurement. Depending on the
room temperature, which is shown on the liquid crystal display, the duty cycle is adjusted from 0
to 100, controlling the fan speed. When using the pulse width modulation (PWM) approach, the
baseband signal is used to determine how wide the periodic sequence pulses should be. Pulse
Duration Modulation is an additional name for PWM. The change in pulse width with signal is
measured with respect to the leading edge while the pulse's leading edge is remained constant. The
pulse width in PWM is inversely proportional to the signal amplitude the duty cycle of the pulse
may be changed to regulate the fan's speed.

Arduino code

*thermistor parameters:

*RTO: 10 000 2 B: 3977K - 0.75%

TO: 25 C

*+5%

#include "LiquidCrystal.h" //lcd library

LiquidCrystal Icd (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7); // initializing led pin configuration

Const int D N1=10: // pin configuration for motor

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;

//These values are in the datasheet

#define RTO 10000 12

#define B 3977 K

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//---------------------------------------

define VCC 5 //Supply voltage

#define R 10000 // R = 10K*Omega

#Variables

float RT, VR, In, temp, TO, VRT;

void setup ()

Serial.begin(9600);

T0=25+273;

PinMode (in1, output);

pinMode (ENA. Output);

ed. begin (16, 2);

led. Set Cursor (1,0);
led print ("Blower Speed");
lcd.set Cursor (4,1);
led.print("Control"); delay (1000);
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void loop()
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VRT= analogRead (A5); //Acquisition analog value of VRT VRT = (5/1023) * VRT //Conversion
to voltage from resistance
VR = VCC - VRTi
RT = VRT(VR / R) //Resistance of RT
ln=log( RT / R T0) temp=(1/((ln/B)+ (1 / T * 0) )) z //Temperature from thermistor
temp = temp - 273.15 ; //Conversion to Celsius printing on serial monitor of Arduino IDE
Serial.print ("Temperature:");
Serial.print (^ prime prime u ^ prime prime )
Serial.print (temp);
Serial.print ("C\t\t");

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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

Figure 7: Blower feedback control system

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Block Diagram

Figure 8: Block Diagram

Experimental setup:

Figure 9: Experimental setup

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Alignment with SDG’s

SDG-7: Affordable and Clean Energy:

The automation of solar dehydrators plays a significant role in
advancing SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. By integrating
automation technology into these dehydrators, the efficiency and
accessibility of renewable energy-driven food preservation increase
significantly. Automation streamlines the process, optimizing energy
usage and allowing for precise control of the drying conditions, thus
maximizing the utilization of solar power. This advancement not only
enhances the affordability of such technology but also ensures a
consistent and reliable supply of clean energy for food preservation, contributing to sustainable
practices in energy consumption and reducing reliance on non-renewable sources. As a result, the
automation of solar dehydrators stands as a crucial innovation in aligning with SDG 7's objectives
for accessible and clean energy solutions.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure:

The integration of automation into solar dehydrators represents a
pivotal advancement in line with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and
Infrastructure. Automation technology revolutionizes the
manufacturing process of these dehydrators, enhancing their
efficiency, reliability, and scalability. By leveraging automated
systems, manufacturers can optimize production, streamline
operations, and ensure consistent quality, thereby contributing to the
development of innovative and sustainable infrastructure. This
advancement fosters the growth of an industry centered on renewable
energy-driven technologies, promoting innovation in both production methods and the utilization
of clean energy sources. Through the automation of solar dehydrators, SDG 9's objectives for
fostering industry, encouraging innovation, and building resilient infrastructure are furthered,
paving the way for sustainable technological advancements in food preservation and energy
efficiency.
SDG 13: Climate Action:
The incorporation of automation within solar dehydrators plays a crucial
role in advancing SDG 13: Climate Action. This technological
integration significantly enhances the efficiency of these dehydrators,
optimizing their energy use and reducing their carbon footprint.
Automation enables precise control over the drying process, allowing
for better energy management and ensuring that solar power is utilized
to its fullest potential. By decreasing reliance on fossil fuels for food
preservation and embracing renewable energy through automation.

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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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