Solar Drying in Hot and Dry Climate of Jaipur India

Objective of the present study was to design, develop and carry out detail experimentation and then analyze solar cabinet dryer. For this various types of solar dryers, their principles and design methods, modeling, drying temperature, efficiency, utilization and payback period were reviewed. In the present study, double shelf type cabinet dryer was constructed and coupled with flat plate solar air heater for drying of green chilies and potato chips in mixed mode in two spell of 12 days (in summer) and 35 days (in winter) at Mechanical Engineering Department, M. N. I. T., Jaipur, latitude (26.01 degrees N). Hourly measurements of solar intensity, relative humidity, wind speed and temperatures at fifteen different points were taken. Seven cases (for different combination of glazing and insulation) were studied experimentally for moisture loss and drying time. Higher hot air temperature rise and efficiency along with shorter drying period was observed with glass glazing as compared to polycarbonate sheet.