Performance analysis of a solar dryer integrated with thermal energy storage using PCM-Al2O3 nanofluids

Abstract

The use of solar energy will help to reduce the cost of fossil fuels .The present work is based on the study of a solar dryer with thermal storage using the working medium of water and waste engine oil at a flow rate of 0.035, 0.045 and 0.065 lit / sec. Heat was collected from a parabolic trough collector (PTC) and stored into thermal energy storage (TES) device. The TES consisted of rectangular boxes for stored heat containing Stearic acid phase change materials (PCM) with 0.3vol% of Al2O3 nanofluids. The parabolic trough reflected solar radiation focused on the receiver and the collected heat was stored in the storage medium after it was forced into circulation and transferred to the solar dryer. The dryer used the energy output in the storage tank at varying water and waste oil medium flow rates and discussed heat output of the drying crops of groundnut, ginger and turmeric were showed the flow rate of 0.035, 0.045 and 0.065 lit/ sec with water and waste engine oil medium. Finally, based on the findings of the tests, this research may be useful in agriculture, especially in the drying of vegetables.

Recent Trends in PCM-Integrated Solar Dryers

“…Nanotechnology-based research is being carried out, in which nanoparticles are incorporated into the PCM to increase the thermal properties of PCMs and their stability. Solar collector efficiency can be improved by using nanofluids as PCMs [8]. Graphene-enhanced PCM is an advanced technology in which graphene is used to increase the thermal conductivity and stability of the material [9].…”