DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLAR-BIOMASS HYBRID FISH DRYER

The increasing demand for sustainable and efficient fish preservation methods in regions with high humidity, such as Bayelsa, Nigeria, has driven the need for innovative drying technologies. This project presents the development, design and fabrication of a hybrid solar-biomass fish dryer aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, improving drying efficiency, and ensuring year round fish processing. The system integrates a solar thermal collector inclined at the optimal latitude angle for Bayelsa (5 with a biomass backup burner to maintain consistent drying conditions, even during low solar insolation periods. Using locally sourced materials, the dryer is engineered to reduce the moisture content of 1kg of fresh fish from 75% to 15% within 7 hours. The design considerations include heat transfer principles, energy balance, material selection, and airflow optimization. A preliminary drying test conducted at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, demonstrated the capability of the system. During a 7-hour operation window under typical local weather conditions, the dryer removed approximately 0.2896 kg of moisture from the fish sample, representing a significant portion of the total moisture expected to be removed over a full drying cycle of about 20 hours. This early-stage reduction confirms that the system performs in line with the predicted model and energy balance calculations, which projected a steady decline in mass across the drying period. The observed moisture loss validates both the thermal design assumptions and the mixed-mode configuration of the dryer, indicating that the appliance can enhance drying efficiency, reduce spoilage risks, and provide a more reliable, weather-resilient alternative to traditional open-sun drying. The study therefore demonstrates the potential of the hybrid dryer as an effective, affordable, and locally manufacturable solution for small-scale fish processors in Bayelsa State and similar environments.