Solar Collector Featured Dryer Performance Enriched by the Adaptations of Phase Change Material Embedded With Fin Collector Absorber

Abstract

The solar dryer was an effective choice for drying agriculture products because it is cost-effective and requires no external energy for process drying. The fluctuation in drying temperature due to irregular radiation availability influences the food product quality and drying time significantly during the drying process using a solar dryer. In this study, the solar dryer integrated with a solar collector is experimentally studied using phase change material (PCM—paraffin wax) embedded with a fin collector absorber. The drying products such as banana (DP1), and potato (DP2) slices are used in the thickness of 2 mm. The absorber with PCM and fins configuration in the solar collector leads to better thermal performance compared to conventional solar collector absorbers and PCM absorbers. The dryer with PCM and fins-integrated solar collector absorber achieved higher outlet air temperatures of 56.5 °C and 58.1 °C for DP1 and DP2 61, respectively. Additionally, the collector efficiency, moisture, and drying rate for dryers with PCM-integrated solar collector absorbers of DP1/DP2 products were improved by 73.4/75.4%, 0.92/0.95, and 0.88/0.9 kg/h, respectively. Therefore, the dryer with PCM and fins-integrated solar collector absorber is the best choice for drying agricultural products using solar technologies.