Modelling of thermal behaviour of a direct solar drier possessing a chimney: Application to the drying of cassava

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study a direct solar drier possessing a chimney for agricultural products. The establishment of heat and mass balances leads to a system of two differential equations translating the thermal behaviour of the solar chimney. This system is completed with another differential equation giving the evolution of the product temperature according to the time. Then, the mathematical model is validated by comparing the theoretical results with the experimental ones. Cassava has been chosen as the product to be dried because of its various uses in the food. The results showed that the drying of the product is affected by the drying air temperature and the product characteristics.