Numerical modelling of multi-pass solar dryer filled with granite pebbles for thermal storage enhancement
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Date
2015-04-03
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IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
In this paper, a theoretical modelling of a cheap solar thermal dryer for small and
medium scale farmers with multi-pass approach has been investigated. Comsol Multiphysics
modelling tool was employed using numerical technique. The rock particles were used to
enhance the thermal storage of the drying system. The local weather data were used during the
simulation while parameters and coefficients were sourced from literature. An improvement on
efficiency of up to 7% was recorded with error of 10-5 when compared with the reported double
pass solar collector. A fair distribution of hot air within the cabinets was also achieved. Though
the modelling tool used was robust but the characterization of the system materials need to be
done to improve the system accuracy and better prediction.