Red Pepper Drying with Solar Energy in Greenhouse

온실을 이용한 홍고추의 건조

This study was initially performed to investigate current red-pepper drying methods commonly being adopted on red-pepper cultivation farm area. Based on the informations obtained from the field survey, an experiment of red-pepper drying was carried out to verify the actual drying potential of plastic covered solar house similar to the conventional pipe frame greenhouses covered with one or two layer of plastic film. Some results obtained from field survey and drying experiment for red-pepper are summarized as follows; 1. Various patterns of red-pepper drying process were found; 1) complete natural drying with red-pepper exposed in outdoor air, 2) hot air drying by dry chamber only, 3) combination drying by hot air dryer together with plastic covered passive solar house, 4) drying with plastic covered solar house unit. 2. The average air temperatures of outdoor and solar house during drying experiment period were $26.9-30.8\;and\;28.6-33.8^{\circ}C$, respectively, and the maximum air temperatures of those two were $34.2-36.4\;and\;39.8\;-52.3^{\circ}C$, respectively. Horizontal solar intensity during experiment period was $18.49-23.96\;MJ/m^{2}$, and relative humidity of outdoor and experimental solar house were 56 - 66% and 64 - 70%, respectively. 3. The weight of red-pepper during drying experiment period was decreased almost linearly from initial moisture content of 85% to final moisture content of 14%.