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Abstract
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Article Information:
Analysis of the Effects of a Flat Plate Solar Dryer Geometry on Drying Rate of Agricultural Seeds
N.C. Ezeanya, K.N. Nwaigwe and P.E. Ugwuoke
Corresponding Author: K.N. Nwaigwe
Submitted: June 07, 2012
Accepted: July 18, 2012
Published: September 25, 2012 |
Abstract:
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The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between solar dryer geometry and the drying rate of
seeds; hence the analysis of the effects of a flat plate solar dryer geometry on drying rate of Agricultural seeds is
presented using a case study of Ogbono seeds (Irvingea gabonensis). Ogbono seeds were dried using a
distributed type, forced convention solar drying system, consisting of a solar collector plate of a geometric area
(A), thickness (D) and tilt angle (β). The drying rates of the Ogbono seeds were obtained for collector plate Areas
of 0.24, 0.42 and 0.60 m2; tilt angles of 0, 5, 10 and 15ยบ; absorber plate thicknesses of 1.50, 2.70 and 4.20 mm.
The graphs of Area (A) of collector plate against drying rate showed that the drying rates increased linearly
with the increase in the area of collector plate. From the graphs of angles of tilt against drying rate, it was evident
that the drying rate generally increased curvlinearly to a point with the increase in the tilt angle. From that point of
inflection, the drying rate decreased with the increase in the tilt angle of the plate. A maximum drying rate
of 10.03% m.c/h was obtained for the Ogbono seeds during the field test. This maximum rate of drying occurred for
collector plate area of 0.60 m2, tilt angle of 5o and plate thickness of 2.70 mm. The corresponding collector
efficiency is 57%.
Key words: Collector efficiency , drying rate, forced convention, point of inflection, , ,
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Cite this Reference:
N.C. Ezeanya, K.N. Nwaigwe and P.E. Ugwuoke, . Analysis of the Effects of a Flat Plate Solar Dryer Geometry on Drying Rate of Agricultural Seeds. Asian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, (5): 333-336.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-3890
ISSN (Print): 2041-3882 |
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