Eventos Anais de eventos
COBEM 2023
27th International Congress of Mechanical Engineering
Theoretical and experimental analysis of a hybrid solar-electric dryer
Submission Author:
Gabriel M. B. Cruz , SP
Co-Authors:
Gabriel M. B. Cruz, Vinicius Augusto Camatta Santana, frederico hippert, Bárbara Caroline Ricci Nunes, Cristiana Brasil Maia
Presenter: Gabriel M. B. Cruz
doi://10.26678/ABCM.COBEM2023.COB2023-0871
Abstract
Solar energy is a feasible option for developing sustainable technologies since it is a free and abundant energy source. Hybrid solar dryers use solar energy as a primary source combined with a complementary source when needed. It ensures a stable and manageable drying process that produces high-quality dried food. However, hybrid dryers usually require a higher initial investment. This paper aims to present a mathematical model using Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software to predict the behavior of the drying air to aid project development. It was possible to analyze the thermal efficiency and the airflow temperature in a hybrid solar-electric dryer without load. The methodology is theoretical and experimental driven. The theoretical modeling study analyzes the temperatures and efficiency of the dryer, based on the First Law of Thermodynamics and solar engineering of thermal processes. It was possible to compare the results and validate the model by using experimental data of temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed measured at an experimental prototype in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Five cases study were developed, with satisfactory results, ranging from 0,4% to 13,1% of error. Each of those cases relies less on measured data. The geometry influence on the predicted values was exemplified to assess the algorithm’s performance.
Keywords
hybrid solar-electric drying, solar engineering, energetic analysis, solar collector modeling
