Investigations of A Solar Dryer With Thermal Storage

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 01 | Page :
    By

    Rone,

  1. Assistant Professor, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, EIT, Haryana, India

Abstract

This study presents the design, building, and performance evaluation of a low-cost mixed-mode natural convection solar cabinet dryer in conjunction with a latent heat thermal energy storage system. The work’s goal is to reduce post-harvest losses in rural and semi-urban areas by offering an effective and reasonably priced method of preserving agricultural goods. The dryer is made out of a transparent polycarbonate lid to allow for solar heat gain, an insulated cabinet with three perforated trays, and a blackened aluminum absorber plate. To improve drying performance during mixed-mode operation, an additional solar air heater was added. Thermal energy storage was achieved utilizing phase change material (PCM) made of paraffin (n-docosane) combined with kerosene in a 2:1 ratio, selected for its acceptable melting point of roughly 42°C. The PCM was encased in aluminum cans and pipes put beneath the absorber plate to store surplus heat during peak solar hours and discharge it during low-insolation periods. Banana and carrot slices were used as test samples in both full-load and no-load scenarios with and without thermal storage. Performance metrics were assessed, including cabinet temperature, drying efficiency, collector efficiency, and system thermal efficiency. In comparison to traditional sun drying, the results show that the mixed-mode dryer with PCM storage maintained higher drying chamber temperatures for longer periods of time and shortened the total drying time. Latent heat storage may successfully improve sun drying efficiency for agricultural applications, as demonstrated by the incorporation of PCM, which greatly increased heat retention and stabilized temperature variations.

Keywords: Solar Dryer, Thermal Energy Storage, Phase Change Material (PCM), Mixed-Mode Drying, Agricultural Product Preservation, Natural Convection Drying

[This article belongs to Journal of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, Heating and ventilation ]

How to cite this article:
Rone. Investigations of A Solar Dryer With Thermal Storage. Journal of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, Heating and ventilation. 2026; 13(01):-.
How to cite this URL:
Rone. Investigations of A Solar Dryer With Thermal Storage. Journal of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, Heating and ventilation. 2026; 13(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jorachv/article=2026/view=241830


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 13
Issue 01
Received 02/02/2026
Accepted 07/02/2026
Published 26/02/2026
Publication Time 24 Days
68

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