Modelling of a Modular Indirect Natural Convection Solar Dryer
Abstract
Nowadays, solar drying is becoming more important than ever before around the world. If more people use solar energy to dry agriculture and others products, our environment would be cleaner and the drying process will be more efficient. This paper discusses the performance and energy analysis of natural convection indirect solar drying system. The study rig that used consists from three main parts; flat plate air solar collector, dryer cabin and chimney. This system has been instilled in the laboratory of Szent IstvánUniversity in Gödöllő city in Hungary with collector tilt angle is 45° to the south according Budapest region, to get on the maximum amount of solar radiation. MATLAB software program has been developed to model the parts of this system, according the basic heat energy balance equations. The equations have been validated with many experimental results for different agricultural products. The experimental results showed the temperature and RH during drying period and the losses of water and moisture of the products.
Keywords
Solar collector, Dryer, Energy balance, Performance