Solar thermal energy for supplemental heat to process tea in Sri Lanka

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6123026

Ariyaratne, A R

In tea processing, the subprocesses of withering and drying require thermal energy for dehydration of tea leaves. At present, the Sri Lankan tea industry depends mostly on imported fossil fuels for its thermal energy needs. The economic pressure has forced the industry to investigate energy alternatives. In this study solar thermal energy, heat recovery from fluidized-bed dryers, and a combination of solar system with heat recovery were analyzed. The /phi/, f-chart general design method was used to design solar systems to match thermal energy needs in tea processing. The analysis was extended to the f-chart economic analysis to select economically optimum systems. On the basis of highest life-cycle savings, flat-plate solar-collector area and storage tank were sized. Results showed that solar thermal systems require a high investment,but can provide 42, 52, and 63% of the energy needs for high, mid and low tea growing regions, respectively. Combination of solar thermal systems with heat recovery from a fluidized-bed dryer decreases the amount of energy required by another 7 to 12% yet requires only a small increase in investment.

• Research Organization: Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6123026
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
DRYING
HYBRID SYSTEMS
SOLAR DRYING
FOOD INDUSTRY
TEA LEAVES
SRI LANKA
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENERGY ANALYSIS
HEAT RECOVERY
INVESTMENT
ASIA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMICS
ENERGY RECOVERY
INDUSTRY
ISLANDS
LEAVES
RECOVERY
140905*
320303 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes