A study and development of solar hybrid energy dryer for pineapple leaf paper

Abstract

This research was aimed to investigate for pineapple leaf paper drying. In this study process of drying the paper as a final step after the other. Paper drying time takes in solar energy to dry naturally for at least 2-3 days or more without natural sunshine. Solar hybrid energy dryer was designed for drying faster than traditional drying. The development of solar hybrid energy dryer ability to operate continuously. The solar dryer receives the heat from sunshine by passing into the solar panel dimension 1 x 2.6 m2 . The panel was installed on the top of the oven which declined 15 degree from the ground. The dimension of the oven is 1 x 1.05 x 1.30 m3 and have added heat to paraphrase another 2 rooms and heater 4 kW with controller and have added heat to paraphrase another 2 rooms. The dryer installed heater 4 kW with temperature controller and blower 0.22 kW serves as the circulation of heat in the oven to constant flow of 0.138 m3 / s. Experiment research test 3 types ; the use of solar energy alone, the use of solar heater with a temperature of 50 55 and 60 °C and the heater only at 50 55 and 60 °C with three temperature settings. The variables in the study, such as temperature, humidity in the dryer, humidity and Solar energy affect the pineapple leaf paper drying time. Experimental results from solar heater hybrid with 60 °C temperature setting was dried in minimum period of 3 hours and half at an average initial moisture content 1043.70% db to the final moisture content of 9.12% db. Highest average temperature in the dryer was 64.33 °C with electrical energy consumption 10.5 kWh. The use of only solar drying was dried in maximum period of 5 hours at an average initial moisture content 1070.98% db to the final moisture content of 15.84% db. Highest average temperature in the dryer was 39.89 °C with minimum electrical energy consumption 10.5 kWh.