Design Build Portable Solar Dryer for Drying Urea Molasses Block with Arduino-based Solar Power Plant

Abstract

Urea Molasses Block (UMB) is an extra feed or supplement very beneficial for cattle, goats, sheep (ruminants). UMB has an enough protein, energy and minerals content for livestock. Background of the tool design is the UMB drying process is generally still conventionally by breeder of Sekarwangi area in Karawang. Natural drying process usually takes a long time ± 2 days until the UMB is dry and hardened. Portable Solar Dryer controlled by an Arduino Uno micro controller using a 100 Wp solar panel that can produce power which is then stored alocated in battery. The drying method of the appliance is inserting a printed UMB with a size of 200 grams into the drying box. In the drying box there are 3 heaters with power 250 Watts AC and fan to spread the temperature in the box. Then the temperature on the drying box will be displayed on the LCD. This tool uses a solar tracker system so that it can save power of 131 Watt/day. UMB is dry when the UMB drying process has lasted for 5 hours with a 70º-90º C temperature set-point. The dry result of the wet UMB is using a portable solar dryer that is 33 % of the initial weight.