Investigation of the Drying Effect on Physiochemical Properties of Coffee Beans by Using Solar Kiln Experimental Setup

Abstract

This study combines thermal performance modeling, biochemical quality assessment, and a farmer centered design approach to enhance solar coffee drying, a crucial yet neglected field in postharvest technology. Conventional open sun drying is plagued by contamination, rewetting, and microbial growth, ultimately reducing the quality of coffee. In response to these issues, an active solar kiln dryer was designed and constructed from cheap and locally sourced materials. The experimentation investigates the effects of solar kiln drying on the physicochemical properties of green coffee beans including moisture loss, nutrient retention, and biochemical composition. Numerical analysis of heat and mass transfer during drying were likewise analyzed for performance. Proper drying, the study stresses, is key to preserving coffee quality that directly affects market value, demand, and consumer acceptability. The findings indicate that the solar kiln dryer saves drying time by 42% and have an overall system efficiency of 8.7%, while at the same time causing a significant amount of energy saving relative to traditional approaches. Moreover, the system preserves high coffee bean quality through the reduction of faults and safeguarding essential biochemical traits. By providing protection against risks like non uniform drying, infestation by pests, and rain-induced damage, the proposed drying equipment presents an eco-friendly and economically sound option for small-scale farmers. An underlying feasibility analysis demonstrates that the solar drying process improves product quality while reducing postharvest loss, making it an ecologically benign alternative to traditional methods. This study offers a sustainable and feasible approach to the enhancement of coffee drying practices, achieving better quality results with possible application in analogous agro-climatic zones.This Study Combines Thermal Performance Modeling, Biochemical Quality Assessment, And A Farmer Centered Design Approach To Enhance Solar Coffee Drying, A Crucial Yet Neglected Field In Postharvest Technology. Conventional Open Sun Drying Is Plagued By Contamination, Rewetting, And Microbial Growth, Ultimately Reducing The Quality Of Coffee. In Response To These Issues, An Active Solar Kiln Dryer Was Designed And Constructed From Cheap And Locally Sourced Materials. The Experimentation Investigates The Effects Of Solar Kiln Drying On The Physicochemical Properties Of Green Coffee Beans Including Moisture Loss, Nutrient Retention, And Biochemical Composition. Numerical Analysis Of Heat And Mass Transfer During Drying Were Likewise Analyzed For Performance. Proper Drying, The Study Stresses, Is Key To Preserving Coffee Quality That Directly Affects Market Value, Demand, And Consumer Acceptability. The Findings Indicate That The Solar Kiln Dryer Saves Drying Time By 42% And Have An Overall System Efficiency Of 8.7%, While At The Same Time Causing A Significant Amount Of Energy Saving Relative To Traditional Approaches. Moreover, The System Preserves High Coffee Bean Quality Through The Reduction Of Faults And Safeguarding Essential Biochemical Traits. By Providing Protection Against Risks Like Non Uniform Drying, Infestation By Pests, And Rain-Induced Damage, The Proposed Drying Equipment Presents An Eco-Friendly And Economically Sound Option For Small-Scale Farmers. An Underlying Feasibility Analysis Demonstrates That The Solar Drying Process Improves Product Quality While Reducing Postharvest Loss, Making It An Ecologically Benign Alternative To Traditional Methods. This Study Offers A Sustainable And Feasible Approach To The Enhancement Of Coffee Drying Practices, Achieving Better Quality Results With Possible Application In Analogous Agro-Climatic Zones.