Experimental and CFD investigation of six shapes of solar greenhouse dryer in no load conditions to identify the ideal shape of dryer

Abstract

Solar energy plays a vital role in improving the shelf of the agricultural product through drying, solar greenhouse drying is more optimal than using an open air drying, in this study selecting a ideal shape of greenhouse dryer among the other shapes is investigated. Six shapes of solar greenhouse dryers are designed in such a way that each dryer maintains the same volume of 30 ft3. The six shapes are Parabola, Quonset, Modified Quonset, Pyramid, Igloo and tropical. The inside temperature of greenhouse dryer is in the following order from maximum to minimum, Quonset, Tropical, Pyramid, Parabola, Modified Quonset and igloo during summer season. Quonset is capable of generating 64% more temperature when compared to atmosphere, whereas tropical generates 57%, pyramid generates 56%, parabola and modified Quonset generates 55% and igloo generates 53% more temperature when compared to atmosphere temperature during summer. Quonset shape generates 7% more temperature when compared to its rival tropical shape during summer and 5% more temperature during winter. The ideal shape of the solar greenhouse dryer is Quonset Shape, it generates a maximum of 72 DegC in summer and 66 DegC in winter.