Single layer solar drying behaviour of Citrus aurantium leaves under forced convection

• Published in: Energy conversion and management Vol. 46; no. 9; pp. 1473 - 1483
• Main Authors: Mohamed, L. Ait, Kouhila, M., Jamali, A., Lahsasni, S., Kechaou, N., Mahrouz, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air conditioning. Ventilation; Applied sciences; Citrus aurantium leaves; Devices using thermal energy; Dryers; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heating, air conditioning and ventilation; Mathematical modelling; Natural energy; Solar collectors; Solar energy; Solar thermal conversion; Thin layer convective solar drying; Ventilation; Morocco; Africa; Citrus aurantium leaves; Thin layer convective solar drying; Mathematical modelling; Relative humidity; Forced convection; Correlation; Solar collector; Flow rate; Dryer; Modeling; Thin film; Air flow; Fan; Computer program; Statistical model; Air temperature; Drying
• ISSN: 0196-8904; 1879-2227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2004.08.001

Convective solar drying experiments in thin layers of Citrus aurantium leaves grown in Marrakech, morocco, were conducted. An indirect forced convection solar dryer consisting of a solar air collector, an auxiliary heater, a circulation fan and a drying cabinet is used for the experiments. The air temperature was varied from 50 to 60 °C; the relative humidity from 41% to 53%; and the drying air flow rate from 0.0277 to 0.0833 m 3/s. Thirteen statistical models, which are semi-theoretical and/or empirical, were tested for fitting the experimental data. A nonlinear regression analysis using a statistical computer program was used to evaluate the constants of the models. The Midilli–Kucuk drying model was found to be the most suitable for describing the solar drying curves of Citrus aurantium leaves with a correlation coefficient ( r) of 0.99998, chi-square ( χ 2) of 4.664 × 10 −6 and MBE of 4.8381 × 10 −4.