Title: Performance evaluation of a solar greenhouse dryer for coffee drying in the Peruvian high Andes: an energy, exergy, economic, and environmental approach

Authors: José Renán Ayala Gonzáles; Daniel Marcelo-Aldana; Raúl La Madrid Olivares

Addresses: Department of Electrical Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Piura, Piura, Peru ' Department of Electrical Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Piura, Piura, Peru ' Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, University of Piura, Piura, Peru

Abstract: This study presents an analytical and experimental investigation of a solar greenhouse dryer, designed, constructed and experimentally evaluated for its energy, exergy, economic and environmental, performance in the coffee drying process. Parchment coffee was used, and its humidity was reduced to 11.1% in four days. An exergy efficiency of 40% was obtained, in an approximate range where energy is best utilised between 10 and 14 hours on a drying day. Energy efficiency was also analysed, with an average of 33% during the day, the maximum temperatures of 52.5°C. A payback period of 5.48 years.

Keywords: coffee drying; exergy analysis; energy analysis; greenhouse dryer; sustainable agriculture; forced convection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2026.152943

International Journal of Exergy, 2026 Vol.49 No.4, pp.318 - 333

Received: 07 Jul 2025
Accepted: 02 Nov 2025
Published online: 15 Apr 2026 *

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