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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Optimization of hybrid solar dryer

Journal Article · · Energy Sources
 [1]
  1. Solar Energy Dept., Cairo (Egypt)

The hybrid solar convective drying system considered here consists of a solar air heater, drying chamber, and electric heater to provide air at constant temperature to the dryer. In order to reduce the electric energy consumed, pebble bed storage was used, comprising one unit with drying chamber. Computer modeling and simulation were carried out to analyze the effect of design dimensions of the air heater and pebble storage bed on energy savings. Measurements of hourly weather conditions were used in the simulation to determine the optimum design dimensions that would realize minimum electric energy for each operating temperature. The energy saved for the four seasons of the year was obtained at different tilt angels of the air heater to discern the best tilt for each drying season, realizing minimum energy consumption.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
404503
Journal Information:
Energy Sources, Journal Name: Energy Sources Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 18; ISSN 0090-8312; ISSN EGYSAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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