Simulation studies on the steady-state performance of a dryer operating on solar energy and flash steam

Abstract

This paper presents the steady-stage characteristics of a continuous dryer operating on a hybrid energy system of solar energy and flash steam. Because of its unique feature of combining an inexhaustible renewable energy source and exhaust energy from high-pressure condensates by way of flash steam, the “SOLEX” system has potential for the continuous use of solar industrial process heat systems without heat storage, as well as energy conservation. Based on a mathematical model incorporating all the subsystem descriptions over a wide parameter space, a computer simulation was carried out to obtain the performance characteristics. An economic analysis of the viability of the system indicates that the unit cost of the collector is an important parameter in determining the cost effectiveness. An optimum area of solar collector exists depending on the relative cost of steam and solar collectors