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Design and experimental evaluation of a solar dryer for commercial high-quality hay production

Author

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  • Arinze, E.A.
  • Schoenau, G.J.
  • Sokhansanj, S.

Abstract

Design, experimental functional performance and economic evaluation of an energy efficient commercial-type solar energy dryer for production of high-quality hay, especially for the export market, are presented. The newly developed solar hay dryer consists of a solar collector with aluminum absorber plate and spaced fins, a drying shed with perforated metal grate floor above the ground level, swing-away plywood frames and polyethylene curtains for effectively sealing the hay stack during drying operations, an insulated duct, and a crawl space below the floor where a 3-hp in-line centrifugal fan is housed for air circulation by suction. In late August and in early September, 1996, 160 small rectangular bales of alfalfa hay with about 25% bromegrass were successfully dried from 33% initial moisture content to 13% moisture and from 25% to 11% moisture in 4 and 3 days, respectively, under average weather conditions in Saskatoon, Canada. The air temperature rise above ambient was 13–15 °C during peak bright sunshine hours in August and 10–13 °C in September. Ambient relative humidities ranged from 30–90%. Unlike field-cured hay, the hay produced by the dryer was of high-quality and remained green in colour and attractive after drying. Compared to field drying or conventional natural gas drying system, the payback period on investment in full-scale solar hay drying system may be just one to two years.

Suggested Citation

  • Arinze, E.A. & Schoenau, G.J. & Sokhansanj, S., 1999. "Design and experimental evaluation of a solar dryer for commercial high-quality hay production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 16(1), pages 639-642.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:16:y:1999:i:1:p:639-642
    DOI: 10.1016/S0960-1481(98)00242-0
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Murthy, M.V. Ramana, 2009. "A review of new technologies, models and experimental investigations of solar driers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 835-844, May.
    2. Fudholi, Ahmad & Sopian, Kamaruzzaman & Gabbasa, Mohamed & Bakhtyar, B. & Yahya, M. & Ruslan, Mohd Hafidz & Mat, Sohif, 2015. "Techno-economic of solar drying systems with water based solar collectors in Malaysia: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 809-820.
    3. Augustus Leon, M. & Kumar, S. & Bhattacharya, S. C., 2002. "A comprehensive procedure for performance evaluation of solar food dryers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 6(4), pages 367-393, August.
    4. Boroze, Tchamye & Desmorieux, Hélène & Méot, Jean-Michel & Marouzé, Claude & Azouma, Yaovi & Napo, Kossi, 2014. "Inventory and comparative characteristics of dryers used in the sub-Saharan zone: Criteria influencing dryer choice," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 1240-1259.
    5. Badaoui, Ouassila & Djebli, Ahmed & Hanini, Salah, 2022. "Solar drying of apple and orange waste: Evaluation of a new thermodynamic approach, and characterization analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 1593-1605.
    6. Nabnean, S. & Janjai, S. & Thepa, S. & Sudaprasert, K. & Songprakorp, R. & Bala, B.K., 2016. "Experimental performance of a new design of solar dryer for drying osmotically dehydrated cherry tomatoes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 147-156.
    7. Fudholi, Ahmad & Sopian, Kamaruzzaman & Bakhtyar, B. & Gabbasa, Mohamed & Othman, Mohd Yusof & Ruslan, Mohd Hafidz, 2015. "Review of solar drying systems with air based solar collectors in Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1191-1204.
    8. Deeto, S. & Thepa, S. & Monyakul, V. & Songprakorp, R., 2018. "The experimental new hybrid solar dryer and hot water storage system of thin layer coffee bean dehumidification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 954-968.
    9. Badaoui, Ouassila & Hanini, Salah & Djebli, Ahmed & Haddad, Brahim & Benhamou, Amina, 2019. "Experimental and modelling study of tomato pomace waste drying in a new solar greenhouse: Evaluation of new drying models," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 144-155.

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