In this study, a new approach for numerically modeling of an entire cabinet solar dryer is proposed. Collector, drying chamber and chimney are the three principle sections considered in the present modeling. The collector section containing a cover and an absorber plate is modeled applying energy and fluid flow equations to obtain temperature distribution inside the collector. Due to the non-linear behavior of the governing equations as well as variety of effective variables, an iterative method is employed for solution. Regarding the geometry complexity of the drying chamber along with the air compressibility (that in turn causes coupling of momentum and energy equations) drying chamber is simulated by CFD method. Chimney’s effect and effective parameters in suction are comprehensively considered in the present model. The numerical results are in line with experimental results which show that the model can be applied with certainty to employ the dryer for drying highly demanded and time-consuming products in a scientific, sanitary, and timely manner. The model is then optimized by adding some baffles to achieve higher efficiencies and accelerate the drying process.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.