Effect of air mass flow rate on the performance of a mixed-mode active solar crop dryer with a transpired air heater

Abstract

A mixed-mode active solar crop dryer with a transpired solar air heater was developed and tested under Makurdi, Nigeria prevailing weather conditions. The transpired solar collected was tilted at 17.73^° (latitude of Makurdi + 10), east. Experiments were conducted at five levels of drying air mass flow rate. Final moisture content of maize was reduced to a range of 11.75–16.87% (d.b.) within six hours from an initial moisture content range of 47.16–51.14% (d.b.). From the drying curves, the grain samples are dried faster at the air mass flow rate of 0.038 kg/s. The collector and drying efficiencies range between 65.20 −71.77% and 55.3–82.2%, respectively. The highest drying efficiency of 82.2% was recorded at air mass flow rate of 0.038 kg/s and the minimum efficiency of 55.3 was recorded at air mass flow rate of 0.026 kg/s. The dryer can replace conventional dryers.

KEYWORDS:

• Experimental performance transpired solar collector
• maize
• moisture content
• mixed-mode active solar crop dryer

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.