Energy and exergy analyses of thin layer drying of tomato in a forced Solar Dryer

Subject Areas :

Received: 2013-06-12 Accepted : 2013-08-08 Published : 2013-09-21

Keywords: energy, Exergy, Thin layer tomato, Solar dryer,

Abstract :

In this paper the energy and exergy analyses in chamber drying process of thin layer tomato in a forced solar drying was investigated. The experiments were carried out with two thickness 5mm and 7 mm and two airflow 0.5 m.s-1 and 1 m.s-1 . During the experimental process, Ambient Temperature between 22 ℃ and 36 ℃, air relative humidity between 14% and 50%, and solar radiation ranged from 150 w.m-2 to 850 w.m-2. The effects of drying variables on energy utilization, energy utilization ratio, exergy loss and exergy efficiencywere studied by applying the first law of thermodynamics. In addition, the results showed that both energy utilization rate and exergy loss efficiency of the drying chamber decreased with increasing drying mass flow rate and drying thickness while the exergetic efficiency and energy utilization of the drying chamber increased