Natural convective greenhouse vermicelli drying: Thermo-environ-econo-kinetic analyses. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Mahesh; Shimpy, ; Sahdev, Ravinder Kumar; Tawfik, M.A.; Elboughdiri, Noureddine
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy technologies and assessments. Volume 55(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Greenhouse vermicelli drying -- Natural convective drying -- Exergy -- Energy payback time -- Drying kinetics; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Electric power production -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seta.2022.103002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-1388

Abstract

Highlights: Low-cost sustainable natural convection greenhouse vermicelli dryer is presented. Heat transfer coefficients increase with increased vermicelli diameter. Energy payback time and payback period reduce with increased vermicelli diameter. Midilli-Kucuk model showed the highest congruence for vermicelli drying. Effective moisture diffusivity improves with increased vermicelli diameter. Abstract: This article presents the performance of a low-cost, simple and sustainable natural convection greenhouse dryer (NCGHD) for vermicelli drying. Vermicelli samples of diameter (ø) 1.25, 2 and 3 mm have been dried until no moisture evaporation was observed. The values of convective and evaporative heat transfer coefficients for ø3 mm vermicelli samples were observed to be the highest (1.37 and 210.83 W/m 2 ℃) followed by ø2 mm (1.02 and 87.93 W/m 2 ℃) and ø1.25 mm (0.55 and 43.50 W/m 2 ℃) samples. The overall greenhouse and energy efficiencies for ø3 mm vermicelli samples were also found highest (9.02 and 15.87 %) as compared to ø1.25 and 2 mm vermicelli samples. The increasing diameter of the vermicelli samples resulted in reduced payback period and energy payback time; and increased carbon credit earned. Midilli-Kucuk model showed the highest congruence with the data of experimental moisture ratio for vermicelli drying. Effective moisture diffusivity increased from 2.09×10 −11 to 1.06×10 −10 m 2 /s with the increasing vermicelli diameter from ø1.25 to 3 mm. The experimental uncertainty varied from 1.138 to 1.199 % for given vermicelli samples. This study would be insightful to researchers in designing the most sustainable vermicelli drying system with greater simplicity and performance; and lowest financial and energy requirements.