Solar Dryer (solar + dryer)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Simulation of a new concept of an indirect solar dryer equipped with offset rectangular plate fin absorber-plate

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2005
S. Youcef-Ali
Abstract A simulation code was developed to predict the indirect solar dryer performance of the thin beds of discs of potato, subjected to time-varying air conditions. Two mathematical models are developed separately; the first allows the determination of the thermal performances of the solar collector with offset rectangular plate fin absorber-plate and the second, allows to determine the kinetics of drying for the data input of the air at the exit of the collector. The latter takes into account calorific losses through the walls of the dryer and shrinkage of discs. Experimental results of the solar dryer thermal performances, using sunlight in Valenciennes (in the North of France), will be compared with the results obtained by the theoretical model suggested. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Effect of convective solar drying on colour, total phenols and radical scavenging activity of olive leaves (Olea europaea L.)

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2009
Neila Bahloul
Summary In this study, olive leaves, which are known for their therapeutic and antioxidant properties, were used to assess the effect of solar drying conditions (temperature and flow rate) on the drying time and quality parameters of olive leaves. Samples were dried at three drying temperatures (40, 50 and 60 °C) and at two drying air flow rates (1.62 and 3.3 m3 min,1) in a convective laboratory solar dryer. From the experimental results, it was noted that the drying time required to reduce the moisture content to 0.10 kg kg,1 d.b. depends mainly on the drying temperature. The quality attributes of the dehydrated olive leaf samples were investigated in term of colour, total phenols and radical scavenging activity. The effect of solar drying on L*, a* b* parameters was significant (P < 0.05) for all the studied olive leaves. Besides, the total phenols of olive leaves were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by drying air conditions and tended to decrease with increased drying time. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was higher in fresh [EC50 39.40 (ZR)-39.95 (CH)] than in dried leaves. However, the radical scavenging activity was also high in leaves dried at 60 °C, 3.3 m3 min,1 [EC50 54.21 (ZR),68.79 (CL)]. [source]


Quality of cocoa beans dried using a direct solar dryer at different loadings

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 8 2006
Ching L Hii
Abstract In this study fermented cocoa beans were dried in a direct solar dryer at three levels of loading (20, 30 and 60 kg). Surface mouldiness was found to be heavy in the 60 kg treatment, with beans appearing blackish. All the dried beans were reasonably acceptable in terms of vinegary odour and weak in alcohol odour. Weak odour was also detected for the faecal, rancid and cheesy odours. The 60 kg treatment was rated strong for wet sock odour due to poor drying condition. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between the 60 kg treatment and the lower loading treatments for pH and titratable acidity. A cut test showed that the lower loading treatments resulted in a higher percentage of brown beans. The 20 kg treatment showed the highest cut test score, which is significantly different (P < 0.05) from the 60 kg treatment. Fermentation index also showed a tendency for lower loading treatments to have a higher index. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found among the treatments in terms of cocoa, astringency, bitterness and sourness flavour notes. However, better flavour was observed for beans from the 20 kg treatment. No mouldy off flavour was found in any of the dried beans. Overall quality assessment showed that the 20 kg treatment was able to produce reasonably good-quality beans as compared to other loadings and therefore is recommended for the direct solar dryer. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source]