water is heavier than air, water flows down. If I push humidity up, im fighting against nature. Basements are damp, attics are dry. If I give heavy moisture a route to escape it works. Try this experiment. Take a hose spray it in the air, water will fall. Its true moisture will get caught up with the hot air but in the end, water is heavier than air. It works. If it were a passive system then Yes, absolutely the hot humid air should escape upward. I have enough power to force the air down and out. Circulation is the main key to dehydration so either direction will work so long as the air is moving.
I wasn't referring to water, i said moist air. There's a huge difference. This is a fairly good explanation of what I was getting at (much better than I could explain anyway) birmingham.raycomweather.com/2013/09/is-humid-air-more-dense-or-less-dense.html
Humid air is less dense than dry air of the same temperature yes, but when the air picks up the water, that evaporation pulls energy from the air cooling it dramatically. That cooled air is now less dense and sinks. Down draft dehydrators work better when what they are drying still contains a decent amount of moisture, when run empty they do not work nearly as well.
no, they are the same. 110-140 air comes in and there is plenty of it. I want the air thats cooled at the bottom to circulate out as fast as possible, that helps draw hot air in from the panel.
thats a good point.. by the way i am from the Philippines and it gets quite wet and humid here so i was thinking of using an artificial heat source like a light bulb with a certain wattage and/or fan with heating element depending on the size of the dryer and the volume of materials to be dried.
in your experience and analysis, is the downdraft dryer principle better than the other system where the heat source is from below and the exhaust is on top?
Heres an idea solid state graphite powee cell bank thst charged a organic carbon power cell bank that operated a rewired drum motor generator with magnetic bearings to provide electrical power. Then a sealed room with slide out mesh shelves to lay your fruits and veggies on. Then insert a electric powered stirling piston that turned the atmosphere to liquid that ran off into a insulated tank with a bell siphon that filled a heat exchange large fin radiator with a high velocity electric fan to draw air through it to provide air conditioning has you freeze dried your fruits and vegetables? With the liquid atmosphere boiling back off into simple air. Bet it would beat what you got set up right? Since you now have a home electrical power and air conditioning and freeze drying system correct? ; )
Hi I was wondering if your going to put a small charge controller on the solar panel because that panel will easily get to 18v or 21v real quick and will probably overload and burn out your fans !! Just a thought ! Seeya Rob
I did have one but needed it for something else. I thought i would blow a fan but I was experimenting. It has been working for a year. I am surprised it didnt burn up .
Your a smart dude!👍
New ways of doing things that takes up less energy and less junk to break down. correct?
i believe humid (moist) air wants to rise... you may want to verify your fan location.
water is heavier than air, water flows down. If I push humidity up, im fighting against nature. Basements are damp, attics are dry. If I give heavy moisture a route to escape it works.
Try this experiment. Take a hose spray it in the air, water will fall. Its true moisture will get caught up with the hot air but in the end, water is heavier than air. It works. If it were a passive system then Yes, absolutely the hot humid air should escape upward. I have enough power to force the air down and out. Circulation is the main key to dehydration so either direction will work so long as the air is moving.
I wasn't referring to water, i said moist air. There's a huge difference. This is a fairly good explanation of what I was getting at (much better than I could explain anyway)
birmingham.raycomweather.com/2013/09/is-humid-air-more-dense-or-less-dense.html
science dose not lie. Ha Ha
Humid air is less dense than dry air of the same temperature yes, but when the air picks up the water, that evaporation pulls energy from the air cooling it dramatically. That cooled air is now less dense and sinks.
Down draft dehydrators work better when what they are drying still contains a decent amount of moisture, when run empty they do not work nearly as well.
Great idea!
wonderful job and an even amazing dryer.
thank you!
i would imagine that your exhaust fan speed is much slower than your fan blowing hot air so as to retain the heat inside?
no, they are the same. 110-140 air comes in and there is plenty of it. I want the air thats cooled at the bottom to circulate out as fast as possible, that helps draw hot air in from the panel.
thats a good point.. by the way i am from the Philippines and it gets quite wet and humid here so i was thinking of using an artificial heat source like a light bulb with a certain wattage and/or fan with heating element depending on the size of the dryer and the volume of materials to be dried.
in your experience and analysis, is the downdraft dryer principle better than the other system where the heat source is from below and the exhaust is on top?
Heres an idea solid state graphite powee cell bank thst charged a organic carbon power cell bank that operated a rewired drum motor generator with magnetic bearings to provide electrical power. Then a sealed room with slide out mesh shelves to lay your fruits and veggies on. Then insert a electric powered stirling piston that turned the atmosphere to liquid that ran off into a insulated tank with a bell siphon that filled a heat exchange large fin radiator with a high velocity electric fan to draw air through it to provide air conditioning has you freeze dried your fruits and vegetables? With the liquid atmosphere boiling back off into simple air. Bet it would beat what you got set up right? Since you now have a home electrical power and air conditioning and freeze drying system correct? ; )
That tied my brain in knots LOL/ Do It!
Hi I was wondering if your going to put a small charge controller on the solar panel because that panel will easily get to 18v or 21v real quick and will probably overload and burn out your fans !! Just a thought ! Seeya Rob
I did have one but needed it for something else. I thought i would blow a fan but I was experimenting. It has been working for a year. I am surprised it didnt burn up .
you can do it yourself ,just go to InpliX and learn how to make it.