Performance study of hybrid solar dryer with auxiliary heater for seaweed drying

Abstract

In this paper, the performance of hybrid solar dryer with auxiliary heater for seaweed drying is invesigated. There were two drying modes performed, namely hybrid solar drying and conventional drying. The drying operation was done from 9.00 A.M until 1.00 P.M on each day, with the hybrid solar dryer temperature of 40, 50, and 60 °C. There were five analysis performed after the drying process was done. Experimental results showed that the dryer temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation are highly dependent on the weather condition, drying time, and in the case of solar radiation, the geographical location. Drying curve analysis shown that drying at 60 °C gave the final moisture content of 12,2%, which satisfy the safe limit of dried seaweed product. Drying process is faster and most efficient during the early phase of drying. As drying process continues, the drying become less effective and the drying rate is gradually decreased until it reaches a constant value. Effectivity factor analysis shown that hybrid solar dryer is more effective than conventional drying. Color analysis result shows that to preserve the color quality of seaweed, it is better to perform the drying with the temperature of 50 °C.