Design and Numerical Energetic Analysis of a Novel Semi-Automated Biomass-Powered Multipurpose Dryer

Benjamin O. Ezurike, Muhammad Abid, Stephen A. Ajah, Chukwunenye A. Okoronkwo, Humphrey Adun, Udora N. Nwawelu, Olusola Bamisile () and Juliana Hj Zaini
Additional contact information
Benjamin O. Ezurike: Department of Mechatronic Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki P.O. Box 1010, Nigeria
Muhammad Abid: Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Faculty of Integrated Technologies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link BE, Bandar Seri Begawan 1410, Brunei
Stephen A. Ajah: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki P.O. Box 1010, Nigeria
Chukwunenye A. Okoronkwo: Department of Mechatronic Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri 460114, Nigeria
Humphrey Adun: Energy Systems Engineering Department, Cyprus International University, Haspolat-Lefkosa, KKTC, Mersin 10, Nicosia 99258, Cyprus
Udora N. Nwawelu: Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Olusola Bamisile: College of Nuclear Science and Automation Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Juliana Hj Zaini: Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Faculty of Integrated Technologies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link BE, Bandar Seri Begawan 1410, Brunei

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: This work presents a new all-inclusive mathematical model that combines both processes and an energy analysis of a semi-automated biomass-powered multipurpose dryer. A mathematical model was developed and a wood sample was used to simulate the model. Energy interaction between the system and sample was established. Most importantly, the incorporation of a sensor control system ensures that, once there is an increase in thermal energy from the combustion of the biomass, a signal is passed to the temperature sensor module that controls the system’s temperature and hence shuts down the heat supply at a predetermined temperature; in this case, at 67 °C. The results of the system’s modification show that the peak temperature of the drying space and the sample was 67 °C and 56 °C, respectively, and that the maximum temperature lag witnessed by the two regimes was 10 °C. The peak temperature removal rate of the sample was 0.0066 kg/h, while the sample attained 0.4 (40%) moisture concentration of its initial value; 90% mass content removal (10% remaining mass content) of the initial mass of the sample was achieved at the end, with a simulation time of 240 s.

Keywords: biomass energy; energy analysis; multipurpose dryer; numerical modeling; sensor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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