Benali Touhami¹, Bennaceur Said¹, Atouani Toufik¹, Lammari Khelifa², Ouradj Boudjamaa², Bounaama Fateh², Belkacem Draoui², Lyes Bennamoun^3,*

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.073329 - 27 January 2026

Abstract The aim of this study is to design, build, and evaluate an indirect forced convection solar dryer adapted to semi-arid climate, such as that of Béchar situated in the west south region of Algeria. The tested drying system consists of a flat-plate solar collector, an insulated two-chamber drying unit, and an Arduino-controlled device that ensures uniform temperature distribution and real-time monitoring using DHT22 sensors. Drying tests were conducted on locally grown beet slices at air temperatures of 45°C, 60°C, and 80°C, with a constant air velocity of 1.2 m/s and a mass flow rate of… More > Graphic Abstract

Sadaf Gul Unar¹, Shoaib Ahmed Khatri^1,*, Nayyar Hussain Mirjat¹, Muhammad Faraz Arain¹, Syed Rafay Ahmed Zaidi¹, Laveet Kumar²

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.23, No.2, pp. 479-505, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2025.063937 - 25 April 2025

Abstract This research focuses on developing innovative hybrid solar dryers that combine solar Photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems for sustainable food preservation in Pakistan, addressing the country’s pressing issues of high post-harvest losses and unreliable energy sources. The proposed active hybrid solar dryer features a drying cabinet, two Direct Current (DC) fans for forced convection, and a resistive heating element powered by a 180 W solar PV panel. An energy-storing battery ensures continuous supply to the auxiliaries during periods of low solar irradiance, poor weather conditions, or nighttime. Tomatoes, a delicate and in-demand crop, were… More >

Ravendra Kumar Ray^*, A.C. Tiwari

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.83, No.1, pp. 845-860, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.059435 - 26 March 2025

Abstract The design and development of solar dryers are crucial in regions with abundant solar energy, such as Bhopal, India, where seasonal variations significantly impact the efficiency of drying processes. The paper is focused on employing a comprehensive mathematical model to predict the dryer’s performance in drying the materials such as banana slices. To enhance this model, Hyper Tuned Swarm Optimization with Gradient Tree (HT_SOGT) was utilized to accurately predict and determine the optimal size of the dryer dimensions considering various mathematical calculations for material drying. The predictive model considered the influence of seasonal fluctuations, ensuring More >

Ganesh There^*, Rohit Sharma^*

Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.10, pp. 2851-2892, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.049506 - 11 September 2024

Abstract This analysis investigates the widespread use of solar drying methods and designs in developing countries, particularly for agricultural products like fruits, vegetables, and bee pollen. Traditional techniques like hot air oven drying and open sun drying have drawbacks, including nutrient loss and exposure to harmful particles. Solar and thermal drying are viewed as sustainable solutions because they rely on renewable resources. The article highlights the advantages of solar drying, including waste reduction, increased productivity, and improved pricing. It is also cost-effective and energy-efficient. The review study provides an overview of different solar drying systems and… More > Graphic Abstract

Ahmed J. Hamad^*, Fawziea M. Hussien, Johain J. Faraj

Energy Engineering, Vol.118, No.5, pp. 1483-1497, 2021, DOI:10.32604/EE.2021.016867 - 16 July 2021

Abstract The fluctuation in drying temperature influences the food products’ quality and drying time significantly during the drying process using an indirect solar dryer. One of the effective methods to reduce these variations in the temperature is based on thermal storage materials to control the drying temperature. An experimental investigation is presented in this study to evaluate the performance of an indirect solar dryer with air double pass using multiple phase change materials (PCM) as thermal storage materials. Two PCMs with different melting points are used to store the available heat energy during peak sunshine periods… More >