Performance analysis of solar tunnel dryer with thermal storage and Photovoltaic system for drying star fruit

Abstract

The aim of this research work to analyse the performance of the proposed solar tunnel dryer and photovoltaic (PV) system to dry star fruit. Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) is a native fruit in the north eastern states of India. Due to its rich nutritional composition and medicinal property, the demand for this fruit increased nationally. The proposed design consists of a tunnel type drying chamber and thermal storage unit. Paraffin wax (PCM) was used as a thermal storing material mounted in the tunnel dryer chamber to use the thermal energy at off sunshine hours. The thermal insulation coating on the outer surface of the solar drying chamber enhances the thermal performance of the tunnel dryer. The overall efficiency of this proposed design was analysed. The results indicated that drying of star fruit occurred in the falling rate period, where no constant rate period of drying rate was observed. The quality analyses data revealed that higher values of TPC (47.59 mg GAE/gram of sample) and DPPH (73.59 μ mol of TE/gram of sample) are obtained in the samples dried in solar dried as compared to open sun-dried samples. Sensory analysis (taste, aroma and flavour) carried out on slices of star fruit indicated that the solar-dried slices provided better scores compared to open sun-dried samples.