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Analysis of the Heat Transfer Coefficient, Thermal Effusivity and Mathematical Modelling of Drying Kinetics of a Partitioned Single Pass Low-Cost Solar Drying of Cocoyam Chips with Economic Assessments

Author

Listed:
  • Macmanus C. Ndukwu

    (Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia P.M.B. 7267, Abia State, Nigeria)

  • Mathew Ibeh

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia P.M.B. 7267, Abia State, Nigeria)

  • Inemesit Ekop

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo P.M.B. 1167, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria)

  • Ugochukwu Abada

    (Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria)

  • Promise Etim

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo P.M.B. 1167, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria)

  • Lyes Bennamoun

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, 15 Dineen Drive, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada)

  • Fidelis Abam

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia P.M.B. 7267, Abia State, Nigeria)

  • Merlin Simo-Tagne

    (Department of Forestry and Agriculture, CFA—CFPPA of Mirecourt, 22 Rue du Docteur Grosjean, 88500 Mirecourt, France)

  • Ankur Gupta

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Silchar, Silchar 788010, Assam, India)

Abstract

This study examines the heat and mass transfer coefficient, thermal effusivity, and other thermal properties of solar-dried cocoyam chips, as well as the drying kinetics. The research also assessed the economics of the solar dryer. For these reasons, a solar dryer with a partitioned collector was developed that creates a double airflow travel distance to delay the airflow inside the collector. The partitioning of the collector delays the airflow and helps to create more turbulence for the airflow with increased energy. The solar dryer was locally developed at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture and tested during the humid crop harvesting period of September for the worst-case scenario. The obtained drying curves and kinetics for cocoyam drying are subjected to the vagaries of weather conditions. The drying rate showed declining sinusoidal characteristics and took about 25 h to attain equilibrium. Analysis of the airflow velocity showed gravitation between laminar and turbulent flow, ranging from 171.69 to 5152.77. Specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and effusivity declined with moisture content while the thermal diffusivity increased. However, the values of thermal effusivity ranged from 12.2 to 47.94 W·s 1/2 ·m −2 ·K −1 , which is within the range of values for insulators. The heat and mass transfer coefficient varied as a function of the airflow velocity. Fitting the drying curve into semi-empirical models showed that the two-term model was the best-fitted model for the experimental data from drying cocoyam. Using the solar dryer in Nigeria can save $188.63–$1886.13 in running costs with a payback period of 0.059–0.59 years (21.54–215.35 days) at a rate of 10–100% of usage.

Suggested Citation

  • Macmanus C. Ndukwu & Mathew Ibeh & Inemesit Ekop & Ugochukwu Abada & Promise Etim & Lyes Bennamoun & Fidelis Abam & Merlin Simo-Tagne & Ankur Gupta, 2022. "Analysis of the Heat Transfer Coefficient, Thermal Effusivity and Mathematical Modelling of Drying Kinetics of a Partitioned Single Pass Low-Cost Solar Drying of Cocoyam Chips with Economic Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:12:p:4457-:d:842319
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simo-Tagne, Merlin & Tamkam Etala, Hermann Dimitri & Tagne Tagne, Ablain & Ndukwu, Macmanus Chinenye & El Marouani, Maryam, 2022. "Energy, environmental and economic analyses of an indirect cocoa bean solar dryer: A comparison between natural and forced convections," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 1154-1172.
    2. Ndukwu, M.C. & Bennamoun, L. & Abam, F.I. & Eke, A.B. & Ukoha, D., 2017. "Energy and exergy analysis of a solar dryer integrated with sodium sulfate decahydrate and sodium chloride as thermal storage medium," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1182-1192.
    3. Gupta, Ankur & Das, Biplab & Biswas, Agnimitra & Mondol, Jayanta Deb, 2022. "Sustainability and 4E analysis of novel solar photovoltaic-thermal solar dryer under forced and natural convection drying," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 1008-1021.
    4. Ndukwu, M.C. & Onyenwigwe, D. & Abam, F.I. & Eke, A.B. & Dirioha, C., 2020. "Development of a low-cost wind-powered active solar dryer integrated with glycerol as thermal storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 553-568.
    5. Youcef-Ali, S., 2005. "Study and optimization of the thermal performances of the offset rectangular plate fin absorber plates, with various glazing," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 271-280.
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    1. Enas Taha Sayed & Abdul Ghani Olabi & Abdul Hai Alami & Ali Radwan & Ayman Mdallal & Ahmed Rezk & Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem, 2023. "Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-26, February.

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