Thermal Modeling and Fuzzy Logic Control Design for Forced Conviction Solar Dryer

The proposed dryer model is designed to hold and dry 100 kg of unripe green banana slice, and this drying process is affected by the variation of temperature and moisture in the drying chamber. The main objective of this research is to analyze a system modeling for forced conviction banana drying processes using intelligent control of fuzzy logic controller. As the result implies, the optimal value of drying air temperature (DAT) at 46, 48, and 50 °C and hot air speed (HAS) at 2, 3, and 5 m/s, respectively, is determined and selected by the banana moisture content of drying curve. The initial moisture content of banana from 70% (0.7 wet base) has been dried to the final 20% (0.20 wet base) moisture content of banana within drying time of 7 h. The thermal model is verified by the banana kinematics of drying processes. The simulation result was compared with and without disturbance signal, while the control system responses to the desire value of chamber air temperature (CAT). The chamber temperature increased when the DAT is increased, but the amount of moisture in the chamber decreases when the HAS is increased.