Tropical field assessment in development of dual-pass photovoltaic tray dryer
Renewable Energy (RE) concept and solution are currently being discussed and favoured worldwide due to future energy consumption. A sustainable solution, which is dependent upon sunlight, normally involving energy conversion methods being further researched due to its low efficiency. Drying tech...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/92809/1/FK%202020%20110%20UPMIR.pdf |
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| Summary: | Renewable Energy (RE) concept and solution are currently being discussed
and favoured worldwide due to future energy consumption. A sustainable
solution, which is dependent upon sunlight, normally involving energy
conversion methods being further researched due to its low efficiency. Drying
technology, which utilizes sunlight is known since ancient times, having various
techniques through indirect and direct method. The main problem resulted from
photovoltaic technology is the electric conversion efficiency is being lowered
due to heat trapped in the PV panel, hence, this project will be focused on the
utilizing of heat under the same PV for drying purpose. Contribution of this
research mainly be positioned on the design, planning and prototype
development of a novel and new technology of dual-pass PV tray dryer
intended for herbs drying controlled in a closed system. The uniqueness and
distinctiveness of the system is that energy is combined to make use of heat
energy dissipated under PV panel with heat energy produced by electrical
heater, where heat flow controllable by dedicated temperature controller. A
prototype is designed and fabricated in a manner having lightweight and
portable, structured in aluminium profile, defined and specified dimension in
1.1m (L) x 0.6m (W) x 0.2m (H) with crops holding capacity of 200g (tested
using Peppermint leaves), and other herbs depending on crops density and
structural form. Equipped with 120W heater, temperature feedback is supplied
with the heater control system. Drying temperature can be regulated to
temperature around 40ºC. Two tropical assessments were successfully carried
out for finding effect of RH and temperature on a dual- passes heating system
under the environmental impact factors and justifications were made on the
capability and efficiency to harvest heat under PV panel. The dried sample
quality is validated via visual means and determined using intensity of dried
sample colour. The prototype is able to drain moisture by rate of 45g/hour
H20. High chlorophyll content observed in the final sample, and calculated data
bringing solar heat collector efficiency (η) is 50%. |
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