Experimental investigation of a novel indirect solar dryer implementing PCM as energy storage medium

• Published in: Energy conversion and management 2014-07, Vol.83, p.1-8
• Main Authors: Shalaby, S.M., Bek, M.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambient temperature; Applied sciences; Compartments; Design engineering; Devices using thermal energy; Driers; Dryers; Drying; Energy; Energy storage; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Mass flow rate; Moisture content; Ocimum basilicum; PCM; Solar drying; Thermal performance; Thevetia neriifolia
• ISSN: 0196-8904; 1879-2227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2014.03.043

[Display omitted] •The performance of a novel indirect solar dryer is investigated experimentally.•PCM, paraffin wax, is used as energy storage medium.•The novel ISD is suitable for drying medical plants.•Ocimum and Thevetia are dried at their prescribed drying temperatures.•The novel design maintains the desired temperature for 7 consecutive h/day. A novel indirect solar dryer (ISD) design using phase change material (PCM) as energy storage medium was experimentally investigated. The system consists of two identical solar air heaters, drying compartment, PCM storage units and a blower. The ISD was tested under no load with and without PCM at a wide range of mass flow rates (0.0664–0.2182kg/s). It is found that after using the PCM, the temperature of the drying air is higher than ambient temperature by 2.5–7.5°C after sunset for five hours at least. In addition, the mass flow rates of 0.1204 and 0.0894kg/s give the peak values of the drying temperature when the ISD is operated with and without PCM, respectively. The novel design successfully maintains the desired temperature for seven consecutive hours every day. This helps reaching the final moisture content of Ocimum Basilicum and Thevetia Neriifolia after 12 and 18h, respectively.