Design and Fabrication of Smart Solar Powered Evaporative Desert Cooler for Preservation of Fruits/Vegetables in Maiduguri and Environs 2
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION
Abstract
The quality of fresh fruits and crops depends on post-harvest handling,
transportation, distribution and storage. The design of a solar-powered
evaporative cooling system was modified and fabricated by smartly
operating to substantially improve the existing evaporative cooling
systems around the study area and curb the rate of post-harvest
losses. The system was modified by using locally available materials
these include a Micro-processor (Arduino UNO), a water pump, a deep
cycle battery, a solar panel, and a floater control switch in other to
enhance the operational efficiency of the evaporative desert cooler by
providing continuous energy and automating water distribution for the
cooler using a sustainable energy source. The system average test
results with no load show a significant difference between the ambient
and Cooler relative humidity of 81.1% and 87.2% while the average
dry bulb temperature was observed to be 26.2oC for the ambient and
24oC for the Cooler respectively showing tremendous achievement in
the performance by maximally dropping the temperature and
extending postharvest life for certain fruits and vegetables in the
Cooler. Implementation of solar-powered appliances in different food
preservation systems would offer a potential solution to the
perishables wastage and shortage problems in the study area and the
country by extension.