Modification and Performance Test of Indirect Type Solar Dryer with Various Forms of Solar Collector in Agricultural Product Drying Process

Abstract

In this study, modification and analysis of the energy performance of indirect type solar dryers with various forms of solar collector for the drying process of agricultural commodities were carried out. The assessment of energy performance is intended to determine the influence of various parameters on energy performance of the designed solar dryer such as the shape of the solar collector used, the type of airflow, and the absorber media used in the drying process. The solar collector used in this study is flat and curved. The energy performance of the solar drying system to be studied includes temperature profile and drying rate. The results of the study showed that the solar dryer designed with a curved solar collector and coated with aluminum foil has the best drying performance with the highest drying rate, which is 0.016 kg/hour. The use of aluminum foil for both collector cases is also able to increase the drying rate by an average of 6.7%. The use of blowers to generate forced flow systems in solar dryers with flat-shaped solar collectors was proven to result in an increase in drying rates of 6.1% and 18.7% compared to drying rates without blowers.