Design and performance of a pioneering solar collector using parabolic dish for fish processing

Abstract EN

Sun harvesting is free and the devices capable of trapping solar energy are readily available for the purpose of processing fish by drying.

This study investigates the design for constructing and evaluating the performance of a pioneering Parabolic Dish Solar Collector (PDSC) for the purpose of drying fish.

A fairly used Strong® satellite dish (model no.

SRT D180E) of 1.8m diameter was used for the present study.

Mirrors measuring 33X5 cm were glued to the inner side of the dish.

A triangular frame was constructed to hold the dish in such a way that the direction of the sun can be easily tracked.

A drying chamber with an adjustable stand were constructed and fixed in position at the focal point of the dish allowing the reflecting sun rays to reach the fish in the chamber.

The highest solarimetre reading and temperature obtained in the focal point was 1.57kWhr/m2 and 84OC and the mean of both readings measured during the study was 1.35kWhr/m2 and 79OC, respectively.

Evaluation of drying capacity using gutted samples of Clarias gariepinus, Bagrus bayad and Oreochromis niloticus showed effective drying as some sample were charred by the heat from the chamber.

It is recommended that this method could be adopted for rural fish processing to replace the conventional sun drying as it is cheap to construct, give product that is clean and uses a free source of energy.