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

Macmanus C. Ndukwu, Mathew Ibeh, Inemesit Ekop, Ugochukwu Abada, Promise Etim, Lyes Bennamoun, Fidelis Abam, Merlin Simo-Tagne and Ankur Gupta
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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

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-20

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.

Keywords: taro; heat and mass transfer analysis; crop processing; drying kinetics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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