Exergy, energy and economic analysis of a V-groove assist rotating tray type solar cabinet dryer for drying potato chips

Abstract

In this present work we have studied the exergy, energy and economic performance of a V-grooved type air collector with rotating trays type of solar cabinet dryer for drying potato chips in the sunny days of winter season at Bhubaneswar (20.2961° N, 85.8245° E), Odisha. The obtained results from this experiment were also compared with the performance of a flat plate air collector with rotating trays used in the same dryer. The average energy efficiency of the solar air collector (SAC) and drying chamber (DC) was found to be 73.3% and 24.8% in case of V-grooved and 60.1% and 19.3% in case of plane collector respectively. The average exergy inflow, outflow, loss and efficiency of the drying chamber in case of V-grooved collector was found as 19.7 W, 11.82 W, 7.88 W and 58.14% where as it was 22.3 W, 12.96 W, 9.34.88 W and 56.12% in case of plane collector respectively. Similarly the average exergy inflow, outflow, loss and efficiency of the SAC in case of V-grooved was found as 845 W, 20.1 W, 824.9 W and 1.99% where as it was 830 W, 22 W, 808 W and 2.28% in case of plane collector respectively. The average exergy and energy efficiency of the V-grooved type chamber are found to be 3.47% and 22.17% higher respectively as compared to plane collector. The air temperature at the inlet and outlet of the SAC and DC mainly affects the exergy value.