Research on the application of solar energy to industrial drying or dehydration processes. Fourth phase. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5351018· OSTI ID:5351018

The operation and maintenance of this proof-of-concept solar dehydration facility in Fresno, California is reported. Phase I of this project incorporated the analysis and design of an inexpensive solar collector unit, coupled with a commercial heat recovery unit and rock storage facilities. These three components supplied about 85% of the hot air required by a single tunnel of the Lamanuzzi and Pantaleo (L and P) dehydration facility in Fresno, California. A relatively simple air solar collector and heat storage system, was used. This facility was built during Phase II. The system is comprised of 22,000 square feet of single glazed air solar collectors, 700 tons of rock storage, and a heat recovery wheel, and is controlled by a microcomputer control system. The facility was monitored and evaluated over the first drying season of 133 days in Fresno, California. In the last Phase, the glazings on the solar collectors were replaced. That is, one-third of the field was replaced with glass, another one-third of the field with Filon, and one-third of the field with Lexan. Also, a new microcomputer control system was designed, tested, and installed using readily available parts and based upon the Apple II microcomputer system.

• Research Organization: California Polytechnic State Univ., San Luis Obispo (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-80SF11424
• OSTI ID: 5351018
• Report Number(s): DOE/SF/11424-T1; ON: DE82011208
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140905*
AIR HEATERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DEHYDRATION
DRYERS
DRYING
ENERGY
EQUIPMENT
FOOD INDUSTRY
GLASS
GLAZING MATERIALS
HEAT
HEATERS
INDUSTRY
MAINTENANCE
MATERIALS
OPERATION
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
PROCESS HEAT
ROCK BEDS
SOLAR AIR HEATERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR DRYERS
SOLAR DRYING
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR PROCESS HEAT
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS