Mbwilo, Sayuni2021-04-142021-04-142011Mbwilo, Sayuni (2011) Performance of Fruits and Vegetable Dryer: the case of Visiga Dryer, Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaamhttp://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/15106Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr.Wilbert Chagula Library, class mark (THS EAF TP363.M3258)Food security in Tanzania is affected by many factors and post-harvest losses are just one of them. Many fruits and vegetable in Tanzania, which are seasonal, are only plenty at a particular period of time in specific regions. They are perishable, and get spoiled within a short period of time. In Tanzania, drying is commonly done by box type dryers which have small capacity (20 kg) and low efficiency. This research was focused on the study of the performance of a Visiga forced convection cabinet dryer which was designed with a capacity of 500 kg. The results suggest that with this dryer, 444 kg of pineapple and 240 kg vegetable (Matembele) can be dried within 3 and I days, respectively. The efficiency of the collector was found to be 23% with dryer efficiency of 64.9% and overall system efficiency was 15%. Cost analysis results showed that the net present values of the project were positive. Internal rate of return and average return on investment was greater than cost of capital and the Payback period was one year. It was concluded that Visiga dryer is a well performed and economical dryer in drying fruits and vegetables. It was demonstrated that the required final moisture content of fruits and vegetable can be attained at a reasonable time of one to three days. It was recommended that in order to improve dryer performance a comparative study could be conducted on the level of nutrients, before and after drying. Also, another study on swapping trays during drying and loading trays with different amount based on the available energy at that area. Lastly, there is need for stakeholders to design the way air will flow to allow all trays to receive a hot fresh air from the collector.enFruits dryerVegetable dryerVisiga dryerThesis