Performance analysis and mathematical model of solar assisted drying system

In this study, drying of oranges in solar heated drying system was performed and examined experimentally. The oranges cut in thin slices were dried in solar energy assisted drying system and the slices were weighed before and after drying. At the same time, open-air dried oranges were weighed before and after drying and compared to the drying results of the dried oranges in the drying machine. Wire racks were used for the detection of the samples to be measured. Thanks to these shelves, the weight changes of samples were measured every 30 minutes. These measurements are to determine the changes in the average amount of moisture and drying rate in the target samples. At the same time, outdoor air temperature, outdoor relative humidity, solar radiation values, solar energy heater inlet and outlet temperatures, and change in relative humidity inside the drying cabinet are given in the graphs. The results obtained from the experiments were mathematically modelled with MATLAB and the most appropriate equation was chosen for each sample.