Investigation of drying parameters in solar energy supported drying system in Batman provincial conditions

Drying is a common method for keeping agricultural products intact for a long time. The drying process has traditionally been carried out in the open air, under the sun, in an uncontrolled manner since ancient times. With this method, agricultural products; It is exposed to factors such as dust, insects, damage by other animals and bad weather conditions. Microtoxins such as aflatoxin can occur in products dried by this method. For this reason, it is important to dry agricultural products in a hygienic and controlled manner with drying systems. In addition, dry agricultural products with high economic value are desired to be produced in every season of the year. Dried products are traditionally grown in the season, as well as in greenhouses by providing suitable conditions in other seasons. There are also products that are harvested in several seasons of the year, and products grown in the cold season are also dried. Drying of products grown outside of hot seasons is possible with dryers. Industrial dryers, which have been used for many years, consume large amounts of energy and cause environmental pollution. Environmental awareness, energy efficiency and efficient use of energy are becoming increasingly important. The use of renewable energy sources reduces dependence on fossil fuels. Energy storage systems are needed to increase the efficiency of intermittent energy sources such as solar energy, which is one of the renewable energy sources. It is important for efficiency to store and use the excess heat as a result of radiation during the hours when the sun's influence is high. Within the scope of this study, a mixture of stones and metal parts of different sizes was created as an energy storage material. This material was used in the thermal storage unit of the 2nd section of a solar dryer consisting of two identical sections with thermal insulation between them. Compared with part 1 without thermal storage system. As the agricultural product to be dried, Sason Strawberry, which starts in March, April, and continues until November and December, depending on the weather conditions, was preferred and the drying parameters were examined in October under the conditions of Batman Province. During this study, the effect of using the thermal energy storage system in the solar dryer on drying Sason Strawberry was investigated. Experiments were carried out between 09.00-15.00 in the sun, between 15.00-17.30 in the shade and after 17.30 after sunset, using the thermal storage heat. The experiments were carried out at 3 different fan speeds as 3.5 m/s, 2.5 m/s and 1.5 m/s. Simultaneously with the experiments carried out at a fan speed of 3.5 m/s, strawberry samples were left to dry on the tray outside for control purposes. Compared with those dried in the drying system. In the comparison made in terms of cleaning and drying speed, it has been seen that drying in the drying system is advantageous by a large margin. During the experimental studies, drying was carried out at temperatures ranging from a maximum of 61 ºC to a minimum of 18 ºC in the drying cabinet without using the thermal storage system, and at temperatures ranging from a maximum of 53 ºC to a minimum of 19 ºC in the drying cabinet using the thermal storage system. With the relative humidity difference between the two drying cabinets being a maximum of 6.7%, the relative humidity in the drying cabinet of the section without thermal storage system was higher.