Critical Investigation on Airflow Characteristics in a Forced Convection Solar Dryer
摘要
Solar dryers offer a sustainable and energy-efficient approach to drying agricultural products. This study employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to investigate the airflow patterns apart from temperature and pressure distribution within a domestic solar dryer. The key objectives are to develop a two-dimensional CFD model of the solar dryer, analyze the influence air inlet velocities of air on the airflow patterns within the drying chamber and temperature distribution, and identify potential areas for design optimization. The CFD simulations revealed that positioning the air inlet and outlet fans resulted in higher drying air temperatures within the chamber. However, regions of stagnant flow were also identified, suggesting potential improvements for enhancing uniformity of drying. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of CFD analysis in optimizing the design and performance of solar dryers.