Design and experimental evaluation of a new commercial-type mobile solar grain dryer provided with high efficiency fined-plate collector

Abstract

Design features and experimental functional performance evaluation of a new mobile solar grain dryer suitable for commercial applications in the grain-producing areas of the Prairies and other locations in North America are presented. The solar dryer consists of the following main parts: (i) cylindrical metal drying bin with top and bottom cones and aeration facilities, and of capacity up to 90 tonnes of grain, (ii) solar collector mounted on a four-wheel trailer and the collector was provided with specially designed and coated fins attached to the 18 m2 absorber plate, and ultra-violet resistant transparent fiberglass top cover, and (iii) axial-flow fan and insulated flexible ducts for forced air circulation through the solar collector and drying bin. The dryer was evaluated for solar collector collection efficiency, system drying capability, and system drying efficiency.