Modification and performance evaluation of IoT-enabled solar dryer for fish drying

This study presents the modification and performance evaluation of an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled solar dryer fitted for fish drying applications. Traditional solar dryers often lack precision control and monitoring mechanisms, resulting in suboptimal drying outcomes. To address this, we integrated IoT technology into the solar drying system, allowing user-interface monitoring and control of critical parameters. The modified solar dryer features sensors (DHT22, Lux) capturing data on temperature, humidity, and ambient conditions, which are relayed to a central control unit. This integration enables dynamic adjustments for optimal drying conditions. Key performance indicators, namely % moisture loss efficiency and drying rate were evaluated to gauge the effectiveness of the system. When compared to traditional sun dryers, three experimental trials using fresh fish samples under various conditions showed a considerable improvement in moisture loss efficiency. In contrast to 67% when drying in the sun, the percentage of total moisture loss in fish after 22 hours in the drying chamber was found to peak at 85%. Additionally, there was a notable improvement in the drying rate, demonstrating the IoT-enabled solar dryer's potential for effective fish drying. Sun-dried fish had an hourly average drying rate of 11.64 grams, whereas the IoT-based solar drier achieved an average of 14.77 grams per hour. With a decent user interface and a sustainable approach to fish preservation, this research sheds light on the mutually beneficial link between IoT technology and solar drying techniques. The results highlight the potential for incorporating smart technologies into food drying systems to address food processing and agricultural industry issues.