Journal of Renewable Energy and Environment

Quarterly Publication

Current Issue

By Issue

By Author

By Subject

Author Index

Keyword Index

About Journal

Aims and Scope

Publication Ethics

Indexing and Abstracting

Editorial Board

Journal Staff

Related Links

FAQ

Self-Archiving Policy

Paper Preparation Guide

Paper Template

Journal Forms

Reviewer

Peer Review Process

Performance Evaluation and Optimization of a Solar-Assisted Multi-Belt Conveyor Dryer Based on Response Surface Methodology

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Guilan, P. O. Box: 41635-1314, Rasht, Guilan, Iran.

Abstract

Drying process is an important post-harvest stage of food crops production which accounts for about 20 % of the world’s energy consumption in the industrial sector. One of the effective ways to reduce the share of fossil fuel consumption in the food drying process is to develop new drying systems based on the use of renewable energy sources. In this research, a novel solar-assisted multi-belt conveyor dryer was developed and its performance was analysed. The required thermal energy for drying process was supplied by the combination of solar-gas water heaters and four solar-powered infrared (IR) lamps. The experimental factors included the speed and temperature of the drying air and the power of IR lamps. The performance characteristics were drying time, Overall Specific Energy (OSE), Non-Solar Specific Energy (NSE), Overall Energy Efficiency (OEE), and Solar-Assisted Energy Efficiency (SEE). The optimization process of the drying system was carried out using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) by defining two general modes for the energy sources of the drying system, namely overall mode and solar-assisted mode. Based on the results, the lowest OSE (17.30 MJ/kg water evaporated) was obtained when the speed and temperature of the drying air were equal to 7 m/s and 40 °C, respectively, without using IR power. The lowest NSE (2.71 MJ/kg water evaporated) was achieved by applying the treatment of 7 m/s * 40 °C * 300 W. The maximum OEE was equal to 13.92 % whilst the maximum SEE was obtained as 88.71 %. Both of the mentioned maximum values were obtained at the speed and temperature combination of 7 m/s and 40 °C and their difference was applying     300 W IR power to gain maximum SEE and no IR utilization for the maximum OEE. According to RSM analysis, the optimum working conditions for the drying system included the treatment of 7 m/s * 39.96 ºC * 300 W. Under this condition, the drying time, NSE, and SEE values were equal to 180.95 min, 1.062 MJ/kg water evaporated, and 84.63 %, respectively.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References
  1. Lingayat, A.B., Chandramohan, V., Raju, V. and Meda, V., "A review on indirect type solar dryers for agricultural crops–Dryer setup, its performance, energy storage and important highlights", Applied Energy, Vol. 258, (2020), 114005. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114005).
  2. El Hage, H., Herez, A., Ramadan, M., Bazzi, H. and Khaled, M., "An investigation on solar drying: A review with economic and environmental assessment", Energy, Vol. 157, (2018), 815-829. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.05.197).
  3. Sagar, V. and Kumar, P.S., ʺRecent advances in drying and dehydration of fruits and vegetables: A reviewʺ, Journal of Food Science and Technology, Vol. 47 No. 1, (2010), 15-26. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs13197-010-0010-8).
  4. Mehran, S., Nikian, M., Ghazi, M., Zareiforoush, H. and Bagheri, I., ʺExperimental investigation and energy analysis of a solar-assisted fluidized-bed dryer including solar water heater and solar-powered infrared lamp for paddy grains drying", Solar Energy, Vol. 190, (2019), 167-184. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.08.002).
  5. Jin, W., Mujumdar, A.S., Zhang, M. and Shi, W., "Novel drying techniques for spices and herbs: A review", Food Engineering Reviews, Vol. 10, No. 1, (2018), 34-45. (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12393-017-9165-7).
  6. Lakshmi, D., Muthukumar, P., Layek, A. and Nayak, P.K., "Performance analyses of mixed mode forced convection solar dryer for drying of stevia leaves", Solar Energy, Vol. 188, (2019), 507-518. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.06.009).
  7. Eltawil, M.A., Azam, M.M. and Alghannam, A.O., "Energy analysis of hybrid solar tunnel dryer with PV system and solar collector for drying mint (MenthaViridis)", Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 181, (2018), 352-364. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.01.229).
  8. Hamdi, I., ELkhadraoui, A., Kooli, S., Farhat, A. and Guizani, A., "Drying of red pepper slices in a solar greenhouse dryer and under open sun: Experimental and mathematical investigations", Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, (2019). (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2019.01.001).
  9. Karthikeyan, A. and Murugavelh, S., "Thin layer drying kinetics and exergy analysis of turmeric (Curcuma longa) in a mixed mode forced convection solar tunnel dryer", Renewable Energy, Vol. 128, (2018), 305-312. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.05.061).
  10. Yahya, M., Fudholi, A. and Sopian, K., "Energy and exergy analyses of solar-assisted fluidized bed drying integrated with biomass furnace", Renewable Energy, Vol. 105, (2017), 22-29. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.12.049).
  11. Ziaforoughi, A. and Esfahani, J.A., "A salient reduction of energy consumption and drying time in a novel PV-solar collector-assisted intermittent infrared dryer", Solar Energy, Vol. 136, (2016), 428-436. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2016.07.025).
  12. El-Sebaii, A. and Shalaby, S., "Experimental investigation of an indirect-mode forced convection solar dryer for drying thymus and mint", Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 74, (2013), 109-116. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.05.006).
  13. Lamnatou, C., Papanicolaou, E., Belessiotis, V. and Kyriakis, N., "Experimental investigation and thermodynamic performance analysis of a solar dryer using an evacuated-tube air collector", Applied Energy, Vol. 94, (2012), 232-243. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.01.025).
  14. Akbulut, A. and Durmuş, A., "Energy and exergy analyses of thin layer drying of mulberry in a forced solar dryer", Energy, Vol. 35, No. 4, (2010), 1754-1763. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2009.12.028).
  15. Manrique, R., Vásquez, D., Chejne, F. and Pinzón, A., "Energy analysis of a proposed hybrid solar–biomass coffee bean drying system", Energy, (2020), 117720. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.117720).
  16. Benhamza, A., Boubekri, A., Atia, A., Hadibi, T. and Arıcı, M., "Drying uniformity analysis of an indirect solar dryer based on computational fluid dynamics and image processing", Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, Vol. 47, (2021), 101466. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2021.101466).
  17. Atalay, H., Coban, M.T. and Kıncay, O., "Modeling of the drying process of apple slices: Application with a solar dryer and the thermal energy storage system", Energy, Vol. 134, (2017), 382-391. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.06.030).
  18. Subbian, V., Kumar, S.S., Chaithanya, K., Arul, S.J., Kaliyaperumal, G. and Adam, K.M., "Optimization of solar tunnel dryer for mango slice using response surface methodology", Materials Today: Proceedings, Vol. 46, (2021). (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.02.382).
  19. Sami, S., Etesami, N. and Rahimi, A., ʺEnergy and exergy analysis of an indirect solar cabinet dryer based on mathematical modeling results", Energy, Vol. 36, No. 5, (2011), 2847-2855. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2011.02.027).
  20. Afriyie, J.K., Rajakaruna, H., Nazha, M.A. and Forson, F., "Mathematical modelling and validation of the drying process in a chimney-dependent solar crop dryer", Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 67, (2013), 103-116. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2012.11.007).
  21. Akpinar, E.K., "Drying of mint leaves in a solar dryer and under open sun: Modelling, performance analyses", Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 51, No. 12, (2010), 2407-2418. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2010.05.005).
  22. Jha, A. and Tripathy, P., "Optimization of process parameters and numerical modeling of heat and mass transfer during simulated solar drying of paddy", Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, Vol. 187, (2021), 106215. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2021.106215).
  23. Jahangiri, M., Alidadi Shamsabadi, A. and Saghaei, H., "Comprehensive evaluation of using solar water heater on a household scale in Canada", Journal of Renewable Energy and Environment (JREE), Vol. 5, No. 1, (2018), 35-42. (https://dx.doi.org/10.30501/jree.2018.88491).
  24. Pahlavan, S., Jahangiri, M., Alidadi Shamsabadi, A. and Khechekhouche, A., "Feasibility study of solar water heaters in Algeria, A review", Journal of Solar Energy Research, Vol. 3, No. 2, (2018), 135-146. (https://jser.ut.ac.ir/article_67424.html).
  25. Zaniani, J.R., Dehkordi, R.H., Bibak, A., Bayat, P. and Jahangiri, M., "Examining the possibility of using solar energy to provide warm water using RETScreen4 software (Case study: Nasr primary school of pirbalut)", Current World Environment, Vol. 10, (2015), 835. (http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.10.Special-Issue1.101).
  26. Siampour, L., Vahdatpour, S., Jahangiri, M., Mostafaeipour, A., Goli, A., Alidadi Shamsabadi, A. and Atabani, A., "Techno-enviro assessment and ranking of Turkey for use of home-scale solar water heaters", Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, Vol. 43, (2021), 100948. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2020.100948).
  27. Jahangiri, M., Akinlabi, E.T. and Sichilalu, S.M., "Assessment and modeling of household-scale solar water heater application in Zambia: Technical, environmental, and energy analysis", International Journal of Photoenergy, (2021). (https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6630338).
  28. Periche, A., Castelló, M.L., Heredia, A. and Escriche, I., "Influence of drying method on steviol glycosides and antioxidants in Stevia rebaudiana leaves", Food Chemistry, Vol. 172, (2015), 1-6. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.09.029).
  29. ASABE, "Moisture measurement—Unground grain and seeds", American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, (2019).
  30. Firouzi, S., Alizadeh, M.R. and Haghtalab, D., "Energy consumption and rice milling quality upon drying paddy with a newly-designed horizontal rotary dryer", Energy, Vol. 119, (2017), 629-636. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.11.026).
  31. Sharifi, H., Babapour, Sh. and Sherkati, Sh., "Evaluation of problems caused by thermal degradation of consumed gas in Iran's thermal power stations", Tehran, Iran, (2004).
  32. Ceylan, I., "Energy and exergy analyses of a temperature controlled solar water heater", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 47, (2012), 630-635. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.12.040).
  33. Tohidi, M., Sadeghi, M. and Torki-Harchegani, M., "Energy and quality aspects for fixed deep bed drying of paddy", Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 70, (2017), 519-528. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.196).
  34. Anum, R., Ghafoor, A. and Munir, A., "Study of the drying behavior and performance evaluation of gas fired hybrid solar dryer", Journal of Food Process Engineering, Vol. 40, No. 2, (2017), 12351. (https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpe.12351).
  35. Myers, R.H., Montgomery, D.C. and Anderson-Cook, C.M., Response surface methodology: Process and product optimization using designed experiments, John Wiley & Sons, (2016). (https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Response+Surface+Methodology%3A+Process+and+Product+Optimization+Using+Designed+Experiments%2C+4th+Edition-p-9781118916018)
  36. Yang, Z.-H., Huang, J., Zeng, G.-M., Ruan, M., Zhou, C.-S., Li, L. and Rong, Z.G., "Optimization of flocculation conditions for kaolin suspension using the composite flocculant of MBFGA1 and PAC by response surface methodology", Bioresource Technology, Vol. 100, No. 18, (2009), 4233-4239. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2008.12.033).
  37. Chen, X., Du, W. and Liu, D., "Response surface optimization of biocatalytic biodiesel production with acid oil", Biochemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 40, No. 3, (2008), 423-429. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2008.01.012).
  38. Singh, G.D., Sharma, R., Bawa, A. and Saxena, D., "Drying and rehydration characteristics of water chestnut (Trapa natans) as a function of drying air temperature", Journal of Food Engineering, Vol. 87, No. 2, (2008), 213-221. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2007.11.027).
  39. Soodmand-Moghaddam, S., Sharifi, M. and Zareiforoush, H., "Investigation of fuel consumption and essential oil content in drying process of lemon verbena leaves using a continuous flow dryer equipped with a solar pre-heating system", Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 233, (2019), 1133-1145. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.083).
  40. Lin, Y.P., Lee, T.Y., Tsen, J.H. and King, V.A.E., "Dehydration of yam slices using FIR-assisted freeze drying", Journal of Food Engineering, Vol. 79, No. 4, (2007), 1295-1301. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2006.04.018).
  41. Jafari, F., Movagharnejad, K. and Sadeghi, E., "Infrared drying effects on the quality of eggplant slices and process optimization using response surface methodology", Food Chemistry, (2020), 127423. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127423).
  42. Moghimi, P., Rahimzadeh, H. and Ahmadpour, A., "Experimental and numerical optimal design of a household solar fruit and vegetable dryer", Solar Energy, Vol. 214, (2021), 575-587. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.12.023).
  43. Zoukit, A., El Ferouali, H., Salhi, I., Doubabi, S. and Abdenouri, N., "Simulation, design and experimental performance evaluation of an innovative hybrid solar-gas dryer", Energy, Vol. 189, (2019), 116279. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116279).
  44. Suzihaque, M. and Driscoll, R., "Effects of solar radiation, buoyancy of air flow and optimization study of coffee drying in a heat recovery dryer", Procedia Engineering, Vol. 148, (2016), 812-822. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.617).
  45. Sethi, V. and Dhiman, M., "Design, space optimization and modelling of solar-cum-biomass hybrid greenhouse crop dryer using flue gas heat transfer pipe network", Solar Energy, Vol. 206, (2020), 120-135. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.06.006).

 

 

 

Journal of Renewable Energy and Environment
Volume 9, Issue 1
January 2022
Pages 78-92
Files
Cited by
History
  • Receive Date: 08 June 2021
  • Revise Date: 25 August 2021
  • Accept Date: 25 September 2021
Share
How to cite
Statistics