Performance evaluation of an industrial solar dryer in Indian scenario: a techno-economic and environmental analysis

Food product drying is used to keep food products preserved for a long period and reduce post-harvest losses. Many industries dealing with food drying employ traditional drying systems that use traditional fuel for drying processes. Solar drying systems may be integrated with traditional industrial drying systems to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. The primary goal is to explore the technical, environmental, and economic feasibility of indirect type solar drying technology integrated with electric heaters as per the requirement of an industrial drying system in six cities throughout India. RETScreen solar drying model is intended to analyze energy production, solar fraction and savings of energy, costs, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, financial feasibility, and various risk factors for the solar drying model in various locales. Sun drying project's economic viability is proven by measurements such as the simple payback period (SPP), internal rate of return (IRR), and equity payback period (EPP). This study's findings provide a clear vision for investors in the food drying sector to build their system in a specified area so that investors may maximize their profit while also supporting the environment by lowering carbon emissions. The simulation result of the presented scenario reveals that utilizing a 100 m(2) solar air heater annually saves the maximum energy in Bangalore (220,283 kWh), followed by Tiruchchirappalli (190,795 kWh) and Lucknow (182,486 kWh). Hanumangarh achieves a minimum energy savings of 150,548 kWh. Payback period for keeping a temperature of 40 degrees C with a 29.4 kg/s air flow rate is between 1 and 2 years. The largest value of EPP and SPP is found in Hanumangarh i.e., 0.56 years and 1.9 years respectively, while the minimum value of EPP and SPP is found in Bangalore i.e., 0.36 years and 1.3 years, respectively. The solar fraction can be enhanced further by expanding the surface area of the solar collector. It may also be concluded that the government must offer at least 50% incentives to make such installation practicable. [GRAPHICS] .