Solar, Biomass and Hybrid Dryers - BioEnergy Discussion Lists

IntroductionIn 1997, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)launched a programme entitled “Renewable Energy Technologies in Asia: a RegionalResearch and Dissemination Programme (RETs in Asia)”. The objective of theprogramme, which was coordinated by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), wasto promote a few selected mature/nearly mature renewable energy technologies insix Asian countries, i.e., Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Philippines andVietnam. Thirteen national research institutes (NRIs) from the six countries wereinvolved in the regional programme. The activities of the programme involvedadaptive research, development of technology packages and their demonstration,capacity building of different stakeholder groups, and dissemination.Three renewable energy technologies were selected for promotion within theprogramme: photovoltaics, renewable energy-based drying, and biomassbriquetting/briquette-fired stoves. One of the major objectives of the RETs in Asiaprogramme was to develop appropriate 'packages' on the selected technologies,highlighting the outcome of adaptive research and development efforts. Thesepackages are being disseminated to interested entrepreneurs and other stakeholdersin the participating countries and the region as a whole. This booklet documents thetechnology packages developed on renewable energy-based drying, both by AIT andby the participating institutions.The technology packages developed by RECAST (Nepal) include a solar box dryer, asolar cabinet dryer, a solar tunnel dryer, and a solar-biomass hybrid cabinet dryer.ITC, Cambodia developed a solar box dryer and two models of chimney type cabinetdryers. UPLB (Philippines) developed two models of cabinet dryers of differentcapacities, while UPD (Philippines) developed a transpired collector solar-biomasshybrid cabinet dryer.Three types of dryers were developed at AIT (Thailand): a solar-biomass hybridtunnel dryer, which was designed for the drying requirements of small and mediumfarmers; a direct-solar box dryer, developed for small farmers and household use;and a solar-biomass hybrid cabinet dryer, which uses a gasifier stove as anadditional heat source. The following sections describe the packages developed.These packages are described in greater detail (design drawings, constructionmanuals, photographs etc.) in a CD. The CD also includes detailed information onthe other renewable energy technologies promoted under the RETs in Asiaprogramme: photovoltaics and biomass briquetting. Information on the projectactivities are described under the following sub headings: adaptive research anddevelopment, technology packages, demonstration/case studies, trainings/manuals,publications, and seminars/workshops/conferences. The CD can be obtained fromthe coordinator of RETs in Asia project at the address given in the inside back cover.1