A New Integrated FQFD Approach for Improving Quality and Reliability of Solar Drying Systems

📝 Abstract

Saffron is the most expensive spice and is significantly valuable in non-oil export. Drying process of saffron is considered as a critical control point with major effects on quality and safety parameters. A suitable drying method covering standards and market requirements while it is costlty benefitial and saves energy is desirable. Solar drying could be introduced as an appropriate procedure in rural and collecting sites of saffron since major micorobial and chemical factors of saffron can be preserved and achieved by using a renewable energy source. So, a precise system taking advantage of management, engineering and food technology sciences could be developed. Since there was no published record of integrated methods of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment (FQFD) applied to solar energy drying systems, in this paper, Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment as a quality management tool by emphasizing technical and customer requirements has been implemented in order to improve quality parameters, optimizing technological expenses and market expansion strategy. Subsequently, Analytical Hierarchy Process based on survey from customers and logical pair-wise comparison are employed to decrease costs and increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of economic indicators. Using the integrated approach of AHP and FQFD in solar drying systems in saffron industry will result in cost benefit, quality improvement, the customer satisfaction enhancement, and the increase in saffron exports.

💡 Analysis

Saffron is the most expensive spice and is significantly valuable in non-oil export. Drying process of saffron is considered as a critical control point with major effects on quality and safety parameters. A suitable drying method covering standards and market requirements while it is costlty benefitial and saves energy is desirable. Solar drying could be introduced as an appropriate procedure in rural and collecting sites of saffron since major micorobial and chemical factors of saffron can be preserved and achieved by using a renewable energy source. So, a precise system taking advantage of management, engineering and food technology sciences could be developed. Since there was no published record of integrated methods of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment (FQFD) applied to solar energy drying systems, in this paper, Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment as a quality management tool by emphasizing technical and customer requirements has been implemented in order to improve quality parameters, optimizing technological expenses and market expansion strategy. Subsequently, Analytical Hierarchy Process based on survey from customers and logical pair-wise comparison are employed to decrease costs and increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of economic indicators. Using the integrated approach of AHP and FQFD in solar drying systems in saffron industry will result in cost benefit, quality improvement, the customer satisfaction enhancement, and the increase in saffron exports.

📄 Content

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A New Integrated FQFD Approach for Improving Quality and Reliability of Solar Drying Systems

a, * Navid Akar, b Hossein Lotfizadeh

a Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA b Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada a, * Email: Z1725983@students.niu.edu

Abstract
Saffron is the most expensive spice and is significantly valuable in non-oil export. Drying process of saffron is considered as a critical control point with major effects on quality and safety parameters. A suitable drying method covering standards and market requirements while it is costlty benefitial and saves energy is desirable. Solar drying could be introduced as an appropriate procedure in rural and collecting sites of saffron since major micorobial and chemical factors of saffron can be preserved and achieved by using a renewable energy source. So, a precise system taking advantage of management, engineering and food technology sciences could be developed. Since there was no published record of integrated methods of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment (FQFD) applied to solar energy drying systems, in this paper, Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment as a quality management tool by emphasizing technical and customer requirements has been implemented in order to improve quality parameters, optimizing technological expenses and market expansion strategy. Subsequently, Analytical Hierarchy Process based on survey from customers and logical pair-wise comparison are employed to decrease costs and increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of economic indicators. Using the integrated approach of AHP and FQFD in solar drying systems in saffron industry will result in cost benefit, quality improvement, the customer satisfaction enhancement, and the increase in saffron exports.

Keywords: Solar Energy Drying System, Saffron, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment (FQFD)

Introduction Saffron spice is dehydrated by stigmas of Crocus sativus L. and is the most expensive spice. Inappropriate post-harvest processes such as poor drying process will result in reduced quality parameters. During the long periods of traditional drying enzymatic activity will be high and microbial pollution occurs [1,2]. Dehydration affects the content of compounds responsible for color, taste and aroma of saffron and also its microbial profile [1,3]. Not suitable drying may lead to scabbing, hardening of the surface, wrinkling, decline in rehydration ability, browning, surface burning and decreases in flavor and odor [4]. Agricultural yields are usually more than the immediate consumption needs, resulting in wastage of food surpluses during the short harvest periods and scarcity during post-harvest period [5]. Therefore, a reduction in the post-harvest losses of food products should have a considerable effect on the economy of these countries [6]. More than 80% of food is being produced by small farmers in developing countries [7]. These 2

farmers dry food products by natural sun drying, an advantage being that solar energy is available free of cost, but there are several disadvantages which are responsible for degradation and poor quality of the end product. Experiments carried out in various countries have clearly shown that solar dryers can be effectively used for drying agricultural produce. It is a question of adopting it and designing the right type of solar dryer [8, 9]. Drying of agricultural produce permits; (1) early harvest; (2) planning of the harvest season; (3) long-term storage without deterioration; (4) taking advantage of a higher price a few months after harvest; (5) maintenance of the availability of seeds; and (6) selling a better quality product. Renewable energy in terms of solar [9], wind [10], and geothermal energy [11] have been used in this industry especially in renewable based drying systems over the few decades. It is interesting to note that a large variety of drying systems that are available in the world are based on solar systems and in general, solar drying systems could be designed in direct (DSD) or indirect (ISD) types. In the former, product chamber through a clear cover receives sunlight and temperature directly. Increasing of temperature, moisture exhaust and exit by air flow will take place. In the latter system, sunlight collecting sheet, blower pump, drying chamber, side heating system and energy saving system are implemented. Parameters in designing such systems could be defined as relative moisture, the temperature of the drier, air flow rate, environment moisture and temperature, length and width of air tunnel, space and kind of trays and initial and final moisture of the product. Sun light is stored in solar collectors and then warm air flow is pumped to product chamber [12,

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