Convection Solar Dryer Research Articles

Energy and exergy investigation of indirect solar dryer under natural and forced convection while drying muskmelon slices

• Energy-exergy analysis was performed in an indirect solar dryer without and with fans (NISD and FISD) • The average energy efficiency of drying chamber were 9.39% in NISD and 12.11% in FISD, respectively • The average exergy efficiencies of drying cabinet were found to be 45.87 and 55.73 % in both dryers • The environmental impact factor ranged from 0.2−15.51 and 0.07−7.90, in NISD and FISD, respectively. • 2E analysis concluded that FISD dryer works fine compared to NISD dryer The energy and exergy (2E) analysis were executed in the present work on indirect natural and forced convection solar dryers (NISD and FISD) and the outcomes were compared. The NISD consisted of a collector and a drying cabinet whereas, for FISD, the NISD was updated by fixing a divergent tunnel integrated with DC fans activated with PV panels at the inlet of the collector. Therefore, no commercial energy was used for both setups. The transient temperature and moisture distribution in the trays of the drying cabinet and energy efficiencies of the collector and drying cabinet were evaluated for both dryers. The exergy inflow, outflow, losses and efficiency of collector and drying cabinet and sustainability indices were examined in both dryers. The energy efficiency of collector and drying efficiency were 58.5% and 9.39% in NISD and 66.37% and 12.11% in FISD, respectively. In NISD, the exergy inflow of the collector and drying section were 409.9−1344.15 W and 2.73−96.63 W, whereas, in FISD, the same were 375.5−1344.28 W and 1.03−65.75 W, respectively. The exergy efficiencies of the drying cabinet and collector were found to be 45.87 and 3.46%, 55.73 and 2.43% in NISD and FISD, respectively. The improvement potential and environmental impact factor ranged from 0.11−29.1 W, 0.2−15.51 and 0.012−11.35 W, 0.07−7.90, in NISD and FISD, respectively. The sustainability index was increased by 60.69% and the waste exergy ratio decreased by 18.52% in FISD compared to NISD. The 2E analysis revealed that the performance was enhanced in FISD compared to NISD. Uncertainty analysis was conducted for all parameters and shown as error bars in all plots.

Tribological Studies of Pin Fin type Forced Convection Solar Air Dryer with Help of PCM as a Thermal Storage Medium

Abstract: In the modern world solar energy is used various types of applications. This research uses solar energy to dry agricultural products (Ginger). The scientific and family name of ginger is Zingiber officinale. Ginger is used in the Medical field, cooking, etc. Dried ginger is used by enhancing digestion, which aids in burning fat that has been accumulated and digesting blood sugar, dry ginger promotes weight loss. In scientific studies, dry ginger has been shown to reduce triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. Dry ginger is a fantastic all-natural treatment for lowering excessive blood sugar levels. In this research, the solar dryer is consist of a pin fin with phase change materials. Paraffin wax is a phase change material here used to store latent heat. At sunrise, the energy is stored in the paraffin wax, and at sunset, the energy is released to heat the air. The result shows that thermodynamic performance has improved and hot air discharging time has increased by three and a half hours.

Assessment of eco‐thermal sustainability potential of a cluster of low‐cost solar dryer designs based on exergetic sustainability indicators and earned carbon credit

This research aims to establish the interconnectivity between solar dryer designs and the exegetic-sustainability performance of solar dryers. This is to assist energy policymakers and fabricators to establish design standards and make the right choice for waste exergy management strategy for environmental sustainability. Therefore, in this study, the exergy-based sustainability indicators and earned carbon credit were used to assess and compare the performance of four different designs of solar dryers of equal collector capacity under the same external environmental conditions in the same town. In terms of better sustainability indicators that include high exergy efficiency, lower waste exergy emission, higher sustainability index and lower lack of productivity, solar dryer designs with single-pass triple air movement direction with inlet air powered by wind generator had the best indices for environmental sustainability. In contrast, the natural convection mix-mode solar dryer design had the lowest environmental effect factor and destruction coefficient while the indirect natural convection solar dryer had the highest energy recovery ratio based on exergy output from water evaporation. However, the mix-mode solar dryer powered by the wind generator earned the highest carbon credit. The exergy efficiency ranged from 19.09 to 52 % for the four cases, whereas the waste exergy ratio ranged from 0.52 to 0.81. The LOP value ranged from 2.95 to 19.96. Similarly, the sustainability index ranged from 1.28 to 2.5, the average environmental destruction coefficient varied from 3.96 to 20.96, the exergy recovery ratio for the four dryers varied from 0.001825 to 0.12405, and the earned carbon credit ranged from $442. 3 to $2630.5.

Convective and evaporative heat transfer coefficients during drying of ivy gourd under natural and forced convection solar dryer.

In the present work, a study on convective heat, mass transfer coefficients and evaporative heat transfer coefficient of the thin layer drying process of ivy gourd is performed. The experiment was conducted in three drying modes such as natural, forced convection solar dryer and open sun drying. The hourly data for the rate of moisture removal, sample temperature, relative humidity inside and outside the solar and ambient air temperature for complete drying have been recorded. The drying air temperature varied from 55, 65, 70 and 75°C, and the air velocity was 1, 1.5 and 2m/s. All the drying experiments had shown a falling rate period. The data obtained from experimentation have been used to evaluate the experimental constant values of C and n by simple regression analysis. Based on the values of "C" and "n", convective and evaporative heat transfer coefficients for ivy gourd were determined. The average convective heat and mass transfer coefficients varied between 2.64 and 8.30W/m2 °C and 0.0025 to 0.0076m/s for temperature ranges, at the different air velocities, respectively. The average evaporative heat transfer coefficient for ivy gourd varied from 181.89 to 421.84W/m2 °C. It was observed that convective and evaporative heat transfer coefficients increase with the increase in drying air temperature. The rate of increment of evaporative heat transfer coefficient is higher than the convective heat transfer coefficient. The intensity of heat and mass transfer during solar drying depends on the drying air temperature and velocity.

An experimental and numerical investigation of absorber positioning in a natural convection solar drying system

The known advantages of drying food are long term preservation, weight reduction and, consequently, minimizing the transportation and storage costs. Drying technology can also spoil the conditions for microbial growth. In this study, an indirect solar dryer with natural convection was developed, constructed and experimentally investigated for using in remote regions. It comprises three main parts: an absorber plate with 0.5 m2 surface area, a dryer chamber and an exhaust duct. The absorber plate position can be modified in this device and change the airflow conditions from over the upper face only to the upper and lower face (double passage). Tests changing this position increased the product humidity removal rate from 0.47 g/min to 0.56 g/min, the total water removal over the day from 185 g to 220 g and the average daily thermal efficiency from 8.5% to 19.8%. The equipment performance evaluation was possible due to the presence of temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure sensors positioned at the air inlet and outlet. A turbine-type anemometer at the air outlet was used for airflow measurements. The other three temperature sensors placed on the absorber plate and a load cell located in the drying chamber are also used. The evaporation process was recorded based on load cells installed in the drying chamber. Another model was also applied to calculate the same parameter using the mass balance. A CFD model was build to compare with the experimental results and good agreement was found. Comparison for different solar dryer setups show a better efficiency when the absorber plate is positioned in the middle of the inlet flow.

Drying kinetics, quality assessment and socio environmental evaluation of solar dried underutilized arid vegetable Cucumis callosus

A natural convection solar tunnel dryer of capacity 100 kg was used to analyse the drying kinetics of naturally grown arid vegetable kachri (Cucumis callosus). The moisture reduction was found from 86.10 % to 7.02 % (on wet basis) in two solar days (15 hours). Solar drying curves were estimated using six different drying kinetic models and were compared based on their modeling efficiency. The statistical analysis revealed that Page and Midilli kinetic drying models accurately estimated solar drying characteristics of kachri with a modeling efficiency of 0.971 as compared to other models. Nutritional, microbial, and organoleptic analysis showed that dried kachri product was nutritionally healthy for human consumption. A significant (p<0.01) relationship was found between rehydration characteristics and rehydration time. Techno-economic indicators show that the drying system was economically feasible and could recover investment in 8.70 months. The net carbon dioxide mitigation potential was found 77.05 tons over the lifespan of the dryer.

Thermal Performance Study of Solar Air Dryers for Cashew Kernel: A Comparative Analysis and Modelling Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN)

In this study, a new procedure for drying of cashew kernels is proposed. The new methodology involves the use of solar air dryers to remove the dark sticky coating called testa on the surface of the cashew kernel to get the final product. There are several challenges in the new procedures, especially with respect to the moisture level to be retained in the cashew kernel post drying for facilitating the optimal peeling activity. In this regard, thermal performance is carried out through a set of experimental and computational trials. The experiments have revealed that the natural and forced convection solar dryers with drying speeds of 1.0 kg/h and 1.66 kg/h, respectively, showed drying efficiencies of 51.7% and 50.9%, which is within the permissible acceptable limit, thus ascertaining a moisture reduction of 40 to 42% in each of case and keeping the moisture content within the band of approximately 5%, required for effective peeling of the testa from the cashew kernel to obtain the final product. This new method has resulted in batch drying of cashew kernels of up to 30 kg capacity in a time span of 360 minutes of solar irradiation with an average consumption of 255 kJ. The results of the experiments are also validated from the artificial neural network (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM) modelling, resulting in better prediction and optimization of the performance parameters. The error between the actual and experimental values is well within the permissible limit of +/-5%, thereby correlating the experimental and statistical values for deriving an ANN model for predicting the results for different time duration and solar irradiation. In this way, the thermal analysis of the solar dryers for drying cashew kernels has resulted in findings, which shall be utilized to improve the overall performance efficiency and the methodology adopted for maximum yield.

Life cycle assessment and economical valuation of a natural convection solar greenhouse dryer in Western Maharashtra, India

The current study focuses on the life cycle assessment and an economic valuation of a natural convection solar greenhouse dryer in Western Maharashtra, India. The Solar Greenhouse Dryer is an active device that gains solar radiation incident on to the surface of the dryer and along with wind energy, it removes moisture from agricultural yield. The combination of solar energy and wind energy removes moisture from agricultural yield. The Solar Greenhouse Dryer is primarily used in rural settings; hence, it is very important to analyse the environmental and economic aspects associated with the dryer to obtain the maximum benefit from the dryer with less investment possible. The experiment involving a natural convection solar dryer was conducted at Bahe, Borgaon, Tal-Walwa, Dist- Sangli, Maharashtra, India located at 17.115o N and 74.33o E. The environmental parameters taken into considerations during the analysis covered energy, energy payback time and CO2 emissions, mitigation and carbon credits earned by the dryer. The economic analysis of the solar dryer consists of the annual cost of the dryer, the salvage value, the annual saving obtained and the payback period respectively.

Heat transfer enhancement of solar collector by placing wire mesh stainless porous material on the solar absorber plate of indirect forced convection solar dryer

Indirect forced convection solar dryers are a common technology in solar drying. The flat plate solar collector is an essential device that absorbs heat from solar radiation in order to heat the air flowing through. To improve the thermal utilization of this device, heat transfer enhancement by using the technique of changing airflow patterns into swirling or rotating flow was proposed in this research. In the experiment, wire mesh stainless porous material (WP) SUS304 with various porosities (X) of 0.747, 0.888 and 0.928, transverse pitch with duct height ratio (P/h) of 1.14, 1.43, and 1.71, rib height with duct height ratio (R/h) of 1, attack angle (α) of 30° was placed on the solar absorber plate and the investigation conducted under solar simulator of EN 12975–2 standard with a constant solar intensity of 780±20 W/m2. Air was used as the working fluid in the turbulent flow region at Reynolds number (Re) in the range of 3,700–30,000. The experiment results showed that Nusselt number (Nu), Friction factor (f) and Thermal enhancement factor (TEF) significantly increased when WP was placed on the absorber plate because the swirling airflow through WP occurred and disturbed the thermal boundary layer on absorber plate. The increase in Re resulted in increased Nu and decreased f. Nu and f increased with a decrease in X and P/h. The highest Nu and f of 303.01 and 5.14, respectively, were found at X = 0.747 and P/h = 1.14. The maximum TEF was 1.84. Besides, the developed correlations were in good agreement with the experimental results of predicting both Nu and f with the mean differences of 6.23% and 9.98%, respectively.

Evaluating water sorption isotherms, drying kinetics and exergy performance of traditionally earth mortar drying system based on hybrid solar-electrical dryer

PurposeThe paper aims to evaluate drying performance of earth mortar by solar drying for more durability, minimize pathologies in traditional construction and determine the influence of temperature and humidity on the microstructure of earth mortar using static gravimetric method.Design/methodology/approachA convective solar dryer was used for the pretreatment of building and solid materials for construction.FindingsThe humidity influences the mortar sorption – surface water sorption of earth mortar increased with increasing temperature.Originality/valueThe study used a novel method for pretreatment building materials by using solar dryer.

Experimental study of solar drying of multi‐layer peanuts and development of drying model

An experimental study is performed on a natural convection solar dryer on Indian peanuts for multi-layer drying behavior. The solar air dryer developed and employed in this study has parallel flow, single pass with a flat surface design. It has an orientation system to enhance energy gain of the heated air. The present study was aimed to obtain drying characteristics of multi-layer peanuts and thereby developing an empirical model for moisture ratio prediction. It was observed that the thermal efficiency of the dryer decreases over consecutive days of drying while specific energy consumption increases. The effective moisture diffusivity of 6.3927 m2/s × 10−10 m2/s and 2.9225 m2/s × 10−10 m2/s for the thin layer and four-layer peanuts, respectively, was obtained indicating a decrease with multi-layer. Experimental results showed very good agreement with Midilli and Kucuk model for thin layer drying. A new drying model has been proposed for the prediction of drying characteristics of multi-layer peanuts (shelled peanuts), and the same is validated with the experimental findings. Novelty impact statement Drying peanuts in a natural convection solar dryer is one of the simplest processes available to farmers and domestic users. Peanuts have a high content of oil, protein, and nutrients content and is used all over the world throughout the year. During drying of peanuts, the moisture content is reduced to ensure safe moisture content, resulting in a less postharvest loss. The quality of dried peanuts is of great importance to ensure a long shelf life. The purpose of this article was to reduce the drying time in natural convection solar dryer by using the multi-layer drying concept and providing a proposed model for optimum drying. The finding of this study will be useful in reducing drying time, improving product quality, and avoiding product degradation. The obtained results also provide a practical alternative to the existing conventional drying system that is used in the field for postharvest thermal treatment of peanuts.

Performance evaluation of PV powered solar tunnel dryer integrated with a mobile alert system for shrimp drying

The study was aimed at evaluating the drying characteristics, modelling of drying behaviour, and performance of PV powered walk-in-type semi-cylindrical forced convection solar tunnel dryer integrated with a mobile alert system using shrimps (Metapenaeus dobsoni). The dryer was fabricated using UV stabilized polythene film, CPVC pipes, and GI frames and coupled with a PV panel. A mobile alert system consisting of an Arduino UNO, load sensor, and GSM module was evaluated as an automatic data acquisition and information support system for the dryer users. Fresh shrimp samples were dried to the moisture content of 10.54% (w.b) from 79.22% (w.b) in 6 h. The graph of drying rate against the time exhibited that shrimp drying took place under the falling-rate drying period. Mathematical modelling of the drying process revealed that the Page model could accurately predict the drying behaviour of shrimp. The maximum drying efficiency of 20.22% was attained for drying shrimp in the solar tunnel dryer under forced convection. PV panel obtained an average electrical efficiency of 11.64% and supported the load requirement of 0.636 kWh/day for drying. The mobile alert system was effectively tested as an automatic data acquisition and information support system for dryer users.

Influence of Drying Temperature on the Different Thermodynamic Parameters during the Indirect Convective Solar Drying of Crocus sativus L. Of Morocco Thin-Layer Solar Drying of Moroccan Saffron.

This work deals with the study of the drying kinetics of Crocus sativus L. using convective solar drying. The main objective was to identify the influence of airflow drying temperatures for ambient air temperature ranged between 15.6 and 18.9°C, and a relative humidity between 24.4 and 46.5%. The equilibrium moisture content varies from 0.09 to 0.06 (% d.b), respectively, for drying air temperatures 35–50°C. The airflow velocity was about 0.2 m s−1, which implied establishing a phenomenological diffusion model of the water within the matrix. Empirical models were also determined as well as a polynomial equation (order 3) of the characteristic drying curve. The Midilli–Kucuk model was found to be the best to describe the experimental drying curves of Crocus sativus L. The effective moisture diffusivity ranged between 0.87 and 1.46 10−11 m2 s−1 for airflow temperature 35 and 50°C, while the average activation energy was calculated as 28.76 kJ mol−1. The increase in temperature decreases the total energy consumption which varies, respectively, from 3.211 to 2.681 kWh.

Exergetic and techno‐economic analysis of Moroccan horehound leaves (Marrubium vulgare L.) in forced convection solar and microwave drying

AbstractThis paper aims to analyze solar and microwave drying of Horehound leaves (Marrubium vulgare) from an exergetic point of view. Solar drying tests in forced convection were performed at airflow rates (150 and 300 m3/h) and air‐drying temperatures (60°C, 70°C, and 80°C), where the microwave tests were performed in microwave powers ranging from 50 to 450 kW. Four performance parameters were investigated: exergy of evaporation, exergy loss, and exergy efficiency, sustainability index, and the improvement potential rate of the drying chamber and drying process. The results show that the exergy efficiency increases with the increase of aerothermal conditions. Exegetic performances essentially depend on the drying air temperatures and the airflow rates. The exergy efficiency of the drying process is higher than that of the drying chamber. The drying characteristics of Horehound leaves treated under microwave irradiation is a crucial process to predict its moisture content design so as to optimize the drying process. The exergetic analysis presented in this manuscript shows an improvement in the sustainability index of the drying processes and the reducing losses due to the irreversibility of large‐scale production of dry plants by using solar dryer systems. The techno‐economic analysis performed on the solar dryer including the calculation of the cost of production of 1 kg of dried product shows the economic profitability of drying this kind of product using the convective solar dryer.

Thermokinetic Study by Solar Convective Drying of Argan Press-Cake

The argan tree "Argania spinosa" is a typically multi-use tree. It represents the agroforestry systems pivot which has so far succeeded in meeting the needs of the inhabitants of arid and semi-arid areas strongly marked by climatic hazards. Argan press-cake, residue from the argan oil extraction, is used in several fields, namely: cosmetics, agriculture, and pharmacology. In order to keep this argan paste with a pennyworth, solar drying is an economically appropriate solution, energy and environmentally friendly. In this work, an experimental study is performed to improve the sun-drying process of Argan press-cake using an indirect forced convection solar dryer. As a result, the evolution of the temperature and the drying kinetics inside the product have been assessed. The influence of air recycling drying on the drying time has been highlighted and the characteristic drying law was established too. Thus, the optimal storing conditions of argan press-cake were identified.

Physicochemical characteristics of dried ivy gourd in a single slope solar dryer

AbstractIvy gourd with a good amount of potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) offers greater benefit to human health. Studying the drying mechanism of fresh ivy gourd is very important for subsequent processes and the quality of the product. The present study is intended to perform a mineral analysis (K and Ca), ash content and color parameter (L*, a*, b*, C*, H*, and whiteness and yellowness index) of solar‐dried ivy gourd. Drying experiments are performed in a single slope solar dryer and open sun drying. During the drying process, the temperature of the dryer is maintained from 45 to 75°C, undergoing forced convection drying (air velocity of 1 m/s). Fresh and dried ivy gourd samples had high amounts of Ca (379.26–4992.24 mg/kg) and K (330.63–14690.24 mg/kg). The highest mineral values were determined in the ivy gourd samples dried inside a forced convection solar dryer. Open sun (L*43.29, a*−0.57, b*16.78, C*16.78, h*88.05), natural convection (L*41.74, a*−1.74, b*15.82, C*15.98, h*83.54) and forced convection (L*41.72, a*−2.02, b*15.81, C*15.94, h*82.72) revealed better color values in the dried ivy gourd samples. The moisture is reduced from 93.5% to 10% wet basis in the natural and forced convection solar dryer within 9 and 6 h, whereas it took 10 h under open sun drying. Forced convection solar dryer dried the ivy gourd sample in a minimal time with better mineral retention and color parameter values when compared to natural and open sun‐dried samples.

Sustainable Solar Drying of Brewer’s Spent Grains: A Comparison with Conventional Electric Convective Drying

Spent grains from microbreweries are mostly formed by malting barley (or malt) and are suitable for a further valorization process. Transforming spent grains from waste to raw materials, for instance, in the production of nontraditional flour, requires a previous drying process. A natural convection solar dryer (NCSD) was evaluated as an alternative to a conventional electric convective dryer (CECD) for the dehydration process of local microbrewers’ spent grains. Two types of brewer’s spent grains (BSG; Golden ale and Red ale) were dried with both systems, and sustainability indices, specific energy consumption (eC), and CO2 emissions were calculated and used to assess the environmental advantages and disadvantages of the NCSD. Then, suitable models (empirical, neural networks, and computational fluid dynamics) were used to simulate both types of drying processes under different conditions. The drying times were 30–85 min (depending on the drying temperature, 363.15 K and 333.15 K) and 345–430 min (depending on the starting daytime hour at which the drying process began) for the CECD and the NCSD, respectively. However, eC and CO2 emissions for the CECD were 1.68–1.88 · 10−3 (kW h)/kg and 294.80–410.73 kg/(kW h) for the different drying temperatures. Using the NCSD, both indicators were null, considering this aspect as an environmental benefit.

Dehydrated jasmine flowers obtained through natural convective solar drying retain scent volatiles and phenolics – A prospective for added-value utility

Although season-specific, Jasminum spp. are cultivated commercially for their sweet-scented flowers and their postharvest utility in various value-added products. However, to ensure year-round availability of quality floral biomass, jasmines are to be dehydrated and stored. In the present study, we attempted to dehydrate fresh jasmine flowers using a custom-made natural convective solar drying and compared the outcome with four widely used drying methods namely, sun drying, shade drying, oven drying and freeze drying. Subsequently, the retention capacities of scent volatiles and phenolics in dehydrated flowers of Jasminum auriculatum and J. sambac were compared. Total phenolic contents (TPC) were found to be high in both freeze dried and natural convective dried samples whereas the antioxidant capacity was high in natural convective dried samples. Phenolic acids viz. protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, and caffeic acid were detected; these phenolic acids were shown to retain in higher amount in natural convective dried samples. Further, freeze and convective-dried flowers were also shown to retain maximum contents of scent volatiles. These observations suggest that custom-made low-cost natural convective solar dryer could be explored at large scale to obtain good quality dried flowers of Jasminum spp. for added-value utility.

Experimental investigation and exergy and energy analysis of a forced convection solar fish dryer integrated with thermal energy storage

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;Drying is an effective means of reducing post-harvest losses which increases the shelf life of products by reducing their moisture content to a safe storage level. An indirect mode forced convection solar dryer integrated with thermal energy storage was designed, developed and experimentally tested by drying fish. The components of the dryer are a double pass solar air heater, a paraffin wax-based shell and tube for latent heat thermal energy storage, a drying chamber and a blower. A maximum temperature of 69 ℃ was obtained at the outlet of the solar air heater, and the energy and exergy efficiencies were 25% and 1.5%, respectively. The latent heat storage reduces the fluctuations in the outlet temperature of the solar air heater and extends the drying process for two extra hours per day. The average energy and exergy efficiencies of the energy storage were 41.9% and 15.6%, respectively, whereas average energy and exergy efficiencies of the drying chamber were 35% and 52%, respectively. Moreover, 5 kg of fresh fish was effectively dried in the dryer within 21 hrs, reducing the moisture content of the fish from 75% to 12.5% by removing 3.57 kg of moisture. The specific energy consumption of the dryer was 7.3 kWh per kilogram of moisture, and the power consumed by the blower was 0.6 kWh per kilogram of moisture, which is 8.3% of the total energy consumption. The remaining 91.7% of the energy is harvested from the sun, and the overall efficiency of the drying system is 9.4%.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

Sustainable Natural Solar Drying of Microbreweries Spent Grains: A Comparison with Common Electric Convective Drying

In recent years, local microbreweries are increasingly capturing the consumer’s interest with a wide range of different types of beer. Because of the insertion of microbreweries scattered around the country, large amounts of spent grains have been made available locally to be used, for instance, as animal feed. However, those spent grains, which are mainly formed by malting barley (or malt), are materials suitable for further valorization. Turning the spent grains from waste to a raw material that can be later used to produce non-traditional flour requires a thermal treatment, i.e. a drying process. A natural convection solar dryer (NCSD) was evaluated as an alternative to a conventional convective electric drying system for the dehydration process of local microbrewer’s spent grains. Two types of breweries’ spent grains-BSG-(Golden Ale and Red Ale) were dried at different daytime hours. Sustainability indexes, Specific Energy Consumption (SEC), and CO2 emissions of the conventional dryer were calculated and used to determine the environmental benefits and drawbacks of the NCSD.