Bee Bread Drying Process Intensification in Combs Using Solar Energy

Daulet Toibazar, Baydaulet Urmashev, Aliya Tursynzhanova, Vladimir Nekrashevich, Indira Daurenova, Adilkhan Niyazbayev, Kanat Khazimov, Francesco Pegna and Marat Khazimov ()
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Daulet Toibazar: Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
Baydaulet Urmashev: Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
Aliya Tursynzhanova: School of Applied Mathematics, Kazakh-British Technical University, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
Vladimir Nekrashevich: Engineering Faculty, Ryazan State Agrotechnological University Named After P.A. Kostychev, Ryazan 390000, Russia
Indira Daurenova: Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
Adilkhan Niyazbayev: Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
Kanat Khazimov: Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
Francesco Pegna: Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, 50100 Florence, Italy
Marat Khazimov: Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-24

Abstract: This study presents the development and evaluation of a stand-alone solar dryer designed to improve the efficiency of bee bread dehydration. Unlike the electric prototype powered by conventional energy sources, the proposed system operates autonomously, utilizing solar energy as the primary drying agent. The drying chamber is equipped with solar collectors located in its lower section, which ensure convective heating of the product. Active convection is generated by a set of fans powered by photovoltaic panels, maintaining the drying agent’s temperature near 42 °C. The research methodology integrates both numerical simulation and experimental investigation. Simulations focus on the variations in temperature (288–315 K) and relative humidity (1–1.5%) within the honeycomb structure under convective airflow. Experimental trials examine the relationship between moisture content and variables such as bee bread mass, airflow rate, number of frames (5–11 units), and drying time (2–11 h). A statistically grounded analysis based on an experimental design method was conducted, revealing a reduction in moisture content from 16.2–18.26% to 14.1–15.1% under optimized conditions. Linear regression models were derived to describe these dependencies. A comparative assessment using enthalpy–humidity (I–d) diagrams demonstrated the enhanced drying performance of the solar dryer, which is attributed to its cyclic operation mode. The results confirm the potential of the developed system for sustainable and energy-efficient drying of bee bread in decentralized conditions.

Keywords: bee products; bee bread; solar dryer; energy; solar energy; temperature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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