Experimental Modelling of a Solar Dryer for Wood Fuel in Epinal (France)

A solar dryer for wood was constructed and modelled based on the climatic condition of Epinal, France, during the summer, spring and winter seasons. The solar dryer was able to raise the temperature of the drying air by 38 °C in the spring and summer season with a global effective efficiency of 39%. Modelling of the drying of the log of wood was based on the global mass transfer coefficient and the geometric form of the log which was mostly cylindrical was considered. Validation was undertaken with the log covered with the bark. The coefficient of variations of numerical points with the experimental values given by the model was less than 5% with a mean average error and a mean relative error of 2.33% and 4.53%, respectively.