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Flat micro heat pipe-based shell and tube storage unit for indirect solar dryer: a pilot study
Tarek Kh Abdelkader1,2, Abouelnadar El Salem3,4, Yanlin Zhang3
1College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430070, China. tkg00@fayoum.edu.eg.
Summary
This study introduces a novel solar dryer for Poria cocos, utilizing flat micro heat pipes (FMHPs) for efficient energy storage. The system demonstrates effective drying of this medicinal herb with a favorable payback period.
Area of Science:
- Renewable Energy Engineering
- Thermodynamics
- Agricultural Processing
Background:
- Poria cocos is a valuable medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, requiring effective drying methods.
- Solar drying offers a sustainable alternative to conventional methods for agricultural products.
- Limited research exists on solar drying specifically for Poria cocos, especially using advanced heat storage technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate an indirect solar drying system for Poria cocos.
- To investigate the performance of a novel thermal storage unit incorporating flat micro heat pipes (FMHPs) with paraffin wax.
- To assess the system's thermal and exergy efficiencies using the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
Main Methods:
- Construction of an indirect solar dryer featuring a roughened solar air heater (RSAH), a shell and tube storage unit with FMHPs, and a drying chamber.
- Integration of paraffin wax within the storage unit for enhanced thermal management.
- Performance evaluation using thermodynamic principles, measuring thermal efficiency, exergy efficiency, and specific energy consumption.
Main Results:
- The roughened solar air heater (RSAH) achieved an average thermal efficiency of 73.9% and exergy efficiency of 5.1%.
- The thermal storage system demonstrated an overall thermal efficiency of 37.6% and exergy efficiency of 17.2%, with effective heat discharge for 4 hours.
- The overall dryer efficiency was 27.6%, with a specific energy consumption of 8.629 kWh/kg moisture, and a system payback period of 1.7 years.
Conclusions:
- The developed solar drying system, incorporating FMHPs in the thermal storage unit, is effective for drying Poria cocos.
- The system's thermodynamic performance indicates efficient energy utilization and storage capabilities.
- The short payback period suggests economic viability for solar drying of medicinal herbs like Poria cocos.
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