Application of solar energy to industrial drying or dehydration processes. Final report

Technical Report · Thu Mar 17 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6971794· OSTI ID:6971794

The detailed engineering design of a solar array applied to the preheating of both combustion and excess air for a rotary alfalfa dehydrator is reported. The alfalfa dehydration process and the design parameters of rotary dehydrator are described, including the energy consumed by the plant, the airflow requirements of the dehydrator, and the interface between the dehydrator and the solar array. The design of the collector array is discussed, including the solar collector selection, the calculation of collector areas, and the simulations of the system performance. Discussions of the detailed engineering drawings and specifications of the array construction, duct work, air handling equipment, system controls, data monitoring and acquisition systems, and the results of the contractors' bids are presented. An economic analysis is given of the solar system using the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory format. The impact of the solar system on the process energy requirements and on the operation of the plant are discussed. Additional information and supporting calculations for material covered in the text of the report are contained in the appendices. (MHR)

• Research Organization: Midwest Research Inst., Kansas City, Mo. (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6971794
• Report Number(s): ORO-5121-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140905*
ALFALFA
BIOMASS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
CONTRACTS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DIAGRAMS
DRYERS
DRYING
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
HEAT
LEGUMINOSAE
OPERATION
PLANTS
PROCESS HEAT
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SIMULATION
SOLAR AIR HEATERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR DRYERS
SOLAR DRYING
SOLAR PROCESS HEAT
SPECIFICATIONS