Thermal and environmental analysis of Cucumis sativus drying in a mixed mode solar dryer with combined sensible and latent heat energy storage.

ABSTRACT: This study presents a thermodynamic analysis of a mixed-mode solar dryer incorporating both sensible and latent heat energy storage materials. Black pebbles were utilized for sensible heat storage, while Lauric acid was selected for latent heat storage. The integration of these energy storage materials significantly enhanced the thermodynamic performance of the dryer, achieving a peak energy efficiency of 14.2% and a 53% increase in average energy efficiency. Additionally, the inclusion of latent heat storage in the collector resulted in the highest recorded collector energy efficiency of 84.6%. Exergy analysis indicated a maximum exergy efficiency of 51.3%, with an average exergy efficiency of 34.3% for the dryer. The implementation of combined thermal energy storage led to a 50% reductio

SUBMITTER: Deepak CN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11882818 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature