https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5292-7567
![Sample our Engineering & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5933/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Engineering-Tech.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
In this study, a novel modular solar dryer unit which is made up of corrugated plates and a glass glazing has been investigated. The developed dryer was integrated with a solar air heater and experimented in mixed-mode operation for crop drying in Northern Cyprus. Average drying rate and drying efficiencies for apple, banana, chili pepper, and grapes were found as 30.2, 82, 67.8, and 98 g/h and 38.1%, 43.84%, 40.03%, and 42.12%, respectively. Average temperatures across the dryer were also measured as 43°C, 47°C, 48°C, and 44°C for the same order of materials.
Acknowledgments
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Nomenclature
| Symbols | = | |
| A | = | area, m2 |
| = | specific heat, kJ/kg.K | |
| h | = | enthalpy, kJ/kg |
| hfg | = | latent heat of evaporation, kJ/kg |
| hw | = | enthalpy of water vapor, kJ/kg |
| I | = | solar intensity, W/m2 |
| = | mass flow rate, kg/s | |
| Mi | = | initial moisture content, kg |
| Mf | = | final moisture content, kg |
| Mw | = | moisture content of specimen, kg |
| Mevap | = | moisture removal rate, kg/s |
| Mc | = | mass of the specimen, kg |
| Qr | = | energy on the collector surface, W |
| Qa | = | absorber solar energy gain, W |
| Qo | = | heat loss, W |
| Qu | = | useful heat, W |
| RH | = | relative humidity, % |
| T | = | temperature, °C |
| t | = | drying time, s |
| U | = | collector losses, W/m2.°C |
| Greek letters | = | |
| = | transmissivity | |
| = | absorptivity | |
| β | = | collector tilt angle, ° |
| ε | = | emittance |
| = | efficiency, % | |
| ω | = | absolute humidity, g/kg |
| Subscripts | = | |
| a | = | ambient temperature |
| b | = | bottom loss |
| c | = | collector |
| d | = | drying chamber |
| e | = | edge loss |
| g | = | glass |
| L | = | overall loss |
| p | = | plate |
| pm | = | mean plate temperature |
| t | = | top loss |
| 1 | = | collector inlet |
| 2 | = | collector outlet |
| 3 | = | cabinet outlet |
| Abbreviations | = | |
| D.T | = | drying time |
| F.M.C | = | final moisture content |
| I.M.C | = | initial moisture content |
| LPG | = | liquefied petroleum gas |
| PCM | = | phase change material |
| SD | = | solar dryer |
| SAHPD | = | solar-assisted heat pump dryer |
| CAD | = | computer-aided design |
Declaration of conflicting interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Devrim Aydin
Devrim Aydin is an assistant professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus. His research interests are solar energy, heat storage and refrigeration technologies.
Shedrach E. Ezenwali
Shedrach E. Ezenwalireceived his BSc and MSc degrees from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus. His research interests are solar drying technologies and heat pump systems.
Mohamed Y. Alibar
Mohamed Y. Alibar received his BSc and MSc degrees from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus. He is currently carrying out his PhD studies at the same university. His research interests are solar water heaters, drying technologies and refrigeration systems.
Xiangjie Chen
Xiangjie Chen received her PhD degree from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, in 2013. She is currently working as a researcher at the same university. Dr. Chen has completed several sustainable energy related projects and she is well-experienced in the fields of refrigeration, air conditioning and solar energy.