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A New Methodology for the Development of Appropriate Technology: A Case Study for the Development of a Wood Solar Dryer

Author

Listed:
  • Luis Bernardo López-Sosa

    (Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Col. Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, Morelia C.P. 58190, Mexico
    Posgrado en Ingeniería para la Sostenibilidad Energética, Universidad Intercultural Indígena de Michoacán, Carretera Pátzcuaro-Huecorio Km3, Pátzcuaro C.P. 61614, Mexico)

  • José Núñez-González

    (Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Col. Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, Morelia C.P. 58190, Mexico)

  • Alberto Beltrán

    (Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Col. Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, Morelia C.P. 58190, Mexico)

  • Mario Morales-Máximo

    (Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Col. Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, Morelia C.P. 58190, Mexico
    Posgrado en Ingeniería para la Sostenibilidad Energética, Universidad Intercultural Indígena de Michoacán, Carretera Pátzcuaro-Huecorio Km3, Pátzcuaro C.P. 61614, Mexico)

  • Mario Morales-Sánchez

    (Grupo de Artesanos Organizados, Comunidad Indígena de San Francisco Pichátaro, San Francisco Pichátaro C.P. 60291, Mexico)

  • Montserrat Serrano-Medrano

    (Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Col. Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, Morelia C.P. 58190, Mexico)

  • Carlos A. García

    (Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Col. Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, Morelia C.P. 58190, Mexico)

Abstract

This paper introduces a new methodology for the development of appropriate technology that allows satisfying energy needs in rural communities. The methodology integrates the technological development, taking particularly into account the assessment of environmental impacts as well as evaluation of the functionality of the technology. Therefore, it is implemented as a case study in the development of a solar wood-dryer in an artisan community in Mexico. Relevant issues were identified for the success of the methodology, which includes identifying key participants in the community, as well as the use of specialized simulation- and computer-based design tools, and a prior evaluation of the potential environmental impacts through Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the solar wood-dryer. Three geometries of a solar wood-dryer prototype were proposed and analyzed with computer-based simulations, which showed better interior heat transfer than the traditional wood brick-dryer. LCA revealed that the new solar wood-dryer prototype has environmental impacts in all analyzed categories that are 5% or smaller than those of the traditional dryer. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the solar wood-dryer developed with our introduced methodology leads to less environmental impacts compared to those of the traditional wood brick-dryer previously used by the rural community.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis Bernardo López-Sosa & José Núñez-González & Alberto Beltrán & Mario Morales-Máximo & Mario Morales-Sánchez & Montserrat Serrano-Medrano & Carlos A. García, 2019. "A New Methodology for the Development of Appropriate Technology: A Case Study for the Development of a Wood Solar Dryer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5620-:d:275748
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Baibhaw Kumar & Gábor Szepesi & Zoltán Szamosi & Gyula Krámer, 2023. "Analysis of a Combined Solar Drying System for Wood-Chips, Sawdust, and Pellets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Yuniati, Dhany & Nurrochmat, Dodik Ridho & Pribadi, Didit Okta & Djaenudin, Raden Deden & Kuncahyo, Budi & Sayekti, Apri Laila & Khotimah, Husnul & Wardhani, Windi Novia Ratri, 2025. "Proposing circular bioeconomy design strategy: A crucial step towards sustaining the wood furniture industry in Indonesia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    3. Mario Morales-Máximo & José Guadalupe Rutiaga-Quiñones & Omar Masera & Víctor Manuel Ruiz-García, 2022. "Briquettes from Pinus spp. Residues: Energy Savings and Emissions Mitigation in the Rural Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Unar, Sadaf Gul & Khatri, Shoaib Ahmed & Mirjat, Nayyar Hussain & Shaikh, Pervez Hameed & Zaidi, Syed Abdul Rafay Ahmed & Arain, Muhammad Faraz, 2026. "Solar drying technologies: A review of design, efficiency, and environmental impacts," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PC).

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