Design and performance of a hybrid (photovoltaic/wind) energy-assisted industrial dryer

Abstract

An experimental hybrid energy-assisted dryer with a photovoltaic and wind auxiliary power system was designed, fabricated and tested. The developed dryer has been used in various weather and operating conditions. The effects of three drying air temperatures (50, 60, and 70 degrees C) and two air velocities (3 and 4 m/s) were investigated for maize kernel drying. Drying performance was evaluated in terms of drying kinetics, specific and total energy consumption, color and rehydration ratio. The results showed that total drying time decreased as the air velocity and drying air temperature increased. Depending on the drying times, the power-generation performances of the photovoltaic panels and the wind turbine were between 5.298 and 3.922 W, and 518 and 311 W, respectively. However, the energy consumption of the dryer was between 39.977 and 22.356 W. The best specific energy consumption was 7.561 kWh/kg at 50 degrees C at 3 m/s for 565 minutes. The color parameters indicated maize darkening in all drying conditions. The rehydration assays showed that rehydrated maize kernels reached a higher capacity with increased air temperature and air velocity.