Prediction of water vapor concentration of moist air inside batch solar dryers

Abstract

Design optimization and evaluation of existing solar dryers can be done through numerical simulation of the complex and coupled transfer processes taking place inside drying units. Analysis of moisture concentration and relative humidity evolution of the drying air along with pressure, velocity and temperature profiles was done both inside the solar collector and drying chamber. Prediction of operation parameters for different design configurations allowed the identification of unwanted recirculation regions, saturation moist air zones and optimum operation time for an efficient drying process.