Investigation on Hybrid Glass-Carbon Fiber Composites Used in Solar Greenhouse Dryers

Abstract

In this study, glass-carbon hybrid fibre reinforced polymer matrix composite is proposed to use in solar greenhouse dryer trays. The effects of hybridization on compressive instability failure are analysed by varying the glass fiber volume percentage in a composite. The study examines the compressive instability failure of the composite, considering the non-linear constitutive behaviour of the polymer matrix and initial morphological defects. Each glass and carbon fiber is modelled using 3D finite element micromechanical models. Linear buckling analysis is conducted with appropriately scaled faults. The Thermal analysis to determine heat distribution over the tray, carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics tool, solar greenhouse dryers are used to dehydrate agricultural products, preserving them for longer periods and improving their market value. The materials used in these dryer trays must meet specific performance criteria to ensure optimal drying conditions. In Greenhouse solar dryers, two commonly used tray configurations such as Stable Tray-Assisted Dryer (STAD) and Rotatable Tray-Assisted Dryer (RTAD) are considered in this study and the glass-carbon hybrid composite used in solar greenhouse dryer trays Introduced as Hybrid composite Rotatable Tray-Assisted Dryer (HRTAD), offers significant contributions by ensuring uniform and effective moisture removal and their excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, sustainability, and long life. These properties make them a dependable and effective solution for building solar dryer components, assuring optimal performance and contributing to the overall success of solar greenhouse systems. Hybrid glass fiber composites offer several advantages that make them particularly suitable for this application.