Performance investigation of a novel multi-tray solar cabinet dryer with multi-point air supply

IF 5.1 3区工程技术 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Pub Date : 2025-03-16 DOI:10.1016/j.tsep.2025.103515

P.V. Ajay Kumar , A. James , M. Srinivas

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Agricultural produce requires drying for preservation. Employing renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, can significantly enhance the sustainability of this process. This study seeks to improve the efficiency of a multi-tray solar cabinet dryer by achieving homogenous drying through a multi-point air supply (MPAS). A thorough numerical analysis was performed to examine the thermal aspects of the proposed system using two configurations, namely, a multi-point air supply from two corners and four corners, and to contrast them with those of a conventional dryer. In addition, the numerically optimized system was experimentally tested under controlled indoor conditions to dry bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) slices. Compared to the conventional system, the standard deviation of the temperature profiles across all trays of the proposed MPAS system was reduced by 52.2% and 35.5% for the two-corner and four-corner configurations, respectively, indicating greater uniformity in the heat distribution. Among the two configurations, the MPAS from the two corners exhibited superior heat transfer performance. Furthermore, an experimental study conducted to investigate the drying performance of the proposed MPAS from two corners demonstrated a 23.3% increase in energy efficiency over the conventional system owing to homogenous drying across multiple trays. The average energy utilization was enhanced by 26.3%, with the EUR for the proposed systems reaching 58.5% and 54.2%, respectively. The time required for drying bitter gourd samples was reduced by 22% by introducing a multi-point air supply into a conventional multi-tray solar cabinet air dryer, making it viable for faster agricultural crop drying.

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来源期刊

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Chemical Engineering-Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

10.40%

发文量

327

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： Thermal Science and Engineering Progress (TSEP) publishes original, high-quality research articles that span activities ranging from fundamental scientific research and discussion of the more controversial thermodynamic theories, to developments in thermal engineering that are in many instances examples of the way scientists and engineers are addressing the challenges facing a growing population – smart cities and global warming – maximising thermodynamic efficiencies and minimising all heat losses. It is intended that these will be of current relevance and interest to industry, academia and other practitioners. It is evident that many specialised journals in thermal and, to some extent, in fluid disciplines tend to focus on topics that can be classified as fundamental in nature, or are ‘applied’ and near-market. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress will bridge the gap between these two areas, allowing authors to make an easy choice, should they or a journal editor feel that their papers are ‘out of scope’ when considering other journals. The range of topics covered by Thermal Science and Engineering Progress addresses the rapid rate of development being made in thermal transfer processes as they affect traditional fields, and important growth in the topical research areas of aerospace, thermal biological and medical systems, electronics and nano-technologies, renewable energy systems, food production (including agriculture), and the need to minimise man-made thermal impacts on climate change. Review articles on appropriate topics for TSEP are encouraged, although until TSEP is fully established, these will be limited in number. Before submitting such articles, please contact one of the Editors, or a member of the Editorial Advisory Board with an outline of your proposal and your expertise in the area of your review.