Exergetic optimisation of a solar-biomass hybrid greenhouse dryer in drying banana slices
by Florence G. Kiburi; Erick K. Ronoh; Christopher L. Kanali; Gareth M. Kituu; Patrick O. Ajwang
International Journal of Exergy (IJEX), Vol. 41, No. 1, 2023

Abstract: In this study, an elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm was applied in exergetic optimisation of a solar-biomass hybrid greenhouse dryer in drying banana slices. To develop comprehensive relationships for objective functions under each drying mode (solar, biomass, and solar-biomass), the system was linearised around drying and exit air temperatures. The objective functions involved maximising exergy efficiency and drying air temperature of the system. The trade-offs showed that solar and solar-biomass modes required the same airflow rate (0.05 kg/s) indicating that at these combinations the dryer received almost equal energy input. Biomass mode trade-offs indicated that a lower flow rate (0.01 kg/s) was required for drying. Further, both solar-biomass and biomass modes must maintain a fuel feed rate of 0.001 kg/s for maximum exergy efficiency (solar-biomass: 80.21% ± 14.26%; biomass: 79.28% ± 10.38%) and drying air temperature of 333 K. Performance evaluation of the optimised system demonstrated its superiority compared to the unoptimised system.

Online publication date: Sun, 14-May-2023

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Exergy (IJEX):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com