Agro/Food Products Drying

Solar Fish Drying

Typically, 70% of the fresh fish are taken for food - 20% of the fish are being sold in a dried form with or without salt - 5% of the fish which are damaged are used for cattle feed and a very negligible percentage of the fishes are goes for canning of export.
The most commonly used fish preserving techniques (traditional) are drying and salt curing. The open beach drying results in insects laying egg inside the fish that renders the product non-consumable.
This unhygienic drying cuts through the investment of the fishermen resulting in the loss of his meagre savings that drives him to absolute poverty.
Hygienic processing and value addition are two mantras for prosperity in the fish processing sector.
Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation – has empanelled SUN BEST’s solar dryer for promotion of hygienic solar fish drying in Kerala.
Under the program, SUNBEST has installed a 250 kg solar fish dryer at Chavakkad,

Towards enhancing the fishermen’s livelihood, SUN BEST has developed an advanced Solar Drier. SUN BEST’s Solar Air Drier has 3 key components:
1. The Solar Collector (of area 45 m²) produces hot air taking the heat from Sun’s radiation; a low hp blower draws the air and transfers it
2. Drier – A recirculation drier of varying capacity with Stainless steel (food grade) interiors & exteriors; the fish will be dried on Stainless steel (food grade) mesh trays placed on movable trolleys
3. A biomass burning hot air generator as a back up during non-sunshine period.
A 0.75kW blower will suck the hot air and deliver it to the drier. Using insulated pipes the hot air is taken to a recirculation drier
The drier has a fan to circulate the hot air into the products and release moist air as exhaust
The solar collector has a life of 15+ years with periodic maintenance

SUN BEST’s Solar Dryers

Provides dried fish in a clean and hygienic fashion
Have low recurring expenses unlike conventional fuels thus an excellent choice for fishing community improving their livelihood
Will provide employment to the local womenfolk