Review of solar-energy drying systems I: an overview of drying principles and theory

• Published in: Energy conversion and management Vol. 40; no. 6; pp. 593 - 613
• Main Author: Ekechukwu, O.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.04.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Deep bed drying; Devices using thermal energy; Dryers; Drying; Drying rates; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments, installations and applications; Exact sciences and technology; Moisture content; Moisture equilibrium models; Natural energy; Psychrometric analysis; Safe storage time; Solar energy; Solar thermal conversion; Thin layer drying; Psychrometric analysis; Moisture content; Thin layer drying; Drying rates; Safe storage time; Moisture equilibrium models; Deep bed drying; Drying; Modeling; Food industry; Optimization; Solar energy; Heat mass transfer
• ISSN: 0196-8904; 1879-2227
• DOI: 10.1016/S0196-8904(98)00092-2

A comprehensive review of the fundamental principles and theories governing the drying process is presented. Basic definitions are given. The development of contemporary models of drying of agricultural products are traced from the earliest reported sorption and moisture equilibrium models through the single kernel of product models to the thin layer and deep bed drying analyses.