Improved grain dryer based on the principle of an ‘Ondol’: Application to Cambodian rural areas

Abstract

Cambodia took green growth as their national strategy. In relation to that, the country has adopted several legal plans for the development of green growth. In this vein, we found out that conducting a pilot project of inventing and applying a grain dryer, which is environmentally friendly and tailored to the specific local needs, can be recognized as one of the green growth bottom-up elements. This pilot project was implemented during the year of 2012 funded by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC), in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute and Cambodian government. Facilities to dry cereal crops were adapted from the incineration facilities developed in 2011 by using the heat generated from incineration to heat up the floor. The drying facilities are divided into two types depending on use. An open-type green house is used for drying large quantities and a closed-type with a solar collector (brick) used for cereals that can dry without sunshine.