Simulation model for a solar drying process

The aim of this paper is to study the thermal behaviour of a solar air heater as a source of energy for drying agricultural products. The output temperature and velocity of the drying air were first evaluated, and a mathematical formulation of the physical process of solar drying based on conventional heat and mass transfer equations is then presented and simulated.

The drying simulation model provides information about the influence of various important parameters on the drying phenomenon. However, the accuracy of the proposed procedure must be verified by comparing theoretical to experimental results. As we know, drying systems do not have an efficiency of 100%. There are heat losses through the walls. Temperature was found to be the most important factor of the drying rate for apple slices while the effect of air velocity and air humidity is considered lower than that of air temperature.