CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Greenhouse dryer is an enclosed structure having transparent walls and

roofs, made up of glass, polyethylene film etc. The working phenomenon of
greenhouse drying as given in fig. 1 where the product is placed in trays receiving
the solar radiations through the plastic cover and moisture is removed by natural
convection or forced convection. This technology improves the product quality and
reduces the drying period
Taking structure as basis, greenhouse dryer is classified into two types that
is dome shape and roof even type. Objective and advantage of dome and roof type
greenhouse dryer is to maximize utilization of global solar radiation and is the
proper mixing of air inside the dryer respectively. On the basis of heat transfer, it
having two types namely greenhouse dryer under passive mode (natural
convection) and greenhouse dryer under active mode (forced convection). The use
of greenhouse dryers is to improve the quality of the product, to prevent the
infection by insects, microorganisms and bacteria, and fall of drying time interval.
Papad is the most popular adjuncts in the diet and it is consumed in most
Indian homes. India is the largest papad producing country and about 95
percentage of the total production of papad is prepared at household level or in
cottage scale. It is prepared by rolling the dough balls of low moisture contents
(27% to 30%) by using rolling pin in the form of circular disc (130 mm to 210 mm
diameter) of thickness generally varying from 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm [1-3]. Papad
drying is a simultaneous heat and mass transfer process in which heat is transferred
by convection and radiation to papad-air interface and by conduction to the interior
of papad. Water is transferred by diffusion from inside the papad to papad-air

1
interface and from the interface to the air stream by convection. Thus, papad
drying involves removal of moisture in order to preserve it.
Open sun drying is the most primitive (traditional) method of papad drying.
However, this traditional method of drying suffers from high product losses due to
inadequate drying, fungal growth, encroachments of insects, rodents, birds, and
other contamination resulting in poor product quality. In spite of many
disadvantages, open sun drying is still practiced in places throughout the world.
Although the hot air industrial driers are available to get the good quality of
the product but they consume large amount of energy. The scarcity of fossil fuels
with their rising cost of production and environmental pollution emphasize the
need on the utilization of solar energy as an alternative source for low temperature
drying applications, especially in the regions, where this source is abundantly
available.

2
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
Condori and Saravia studied the efficiency of forced convection single and
double chamber greenhouse drier. Results showed that double chamber greenhouse
dryer is 87% more productive than single chamber for the same area. A new low
cost design tunnel-type greenhouse dryer was constructed and tested.
Wang et al. presented experimental analysis of air speed distribution in a
naturally ventilated greenhouse. The result showed due to 0.837 of the regression
slope the calculated air speed was lower than measured value. It concluded that
average value of air speed in greenhouses is just like a key factor for calculating
heat transfers between greenhouse components and interior air.
Condori and Saravia presented an analytical study which describing the
attainment of a tunnel greenhouse drier. It concluded by considering the
greenhouse drier as a solar collector, an analytical linear relation is established due
to which an improvement of around 160% with respect to the single chamber drier,
while the improvement is of about 40% if compared with the double chamber
drier.
Farhat et al. presented drying model of a pepper in a naturally ventilated
polyethylene greenhouse. The result showed the diversity of product water loss
which can be expressed as a function of ventilation rate or induced air velocity, air
and product temperature and imparted solar radiation through a greenhouse cover.
It concluded that the drying operation allow the exploitation of polyethylene
greenhouses in summer time when not used.
Jain and Tiwari studied of convective mass transfer coefficient and
performed moisture removal rate from cabbage and peas for open sun and inside
greenhouse drying. It concluded in natural mode, the convective mass transfer
coefficient was lower inside the greenhouse drying as compared to open sun drying
3
and in the initial stage of drying, its value was doubled below forced mode inside
greenhouse drying than natural convection.
Tiwari et al. made an attempt to check out the convective mass transfer
coefficient by regression analysis during jaggery drying in the roof type even span
greenhouse under natural and forced convection mode. It was found that the
complete drying of jaggery under forced convection as quicker than under natural
convection as expectable and convective mass transfer coefficient in forced
convection was greater than in natural convection mode.
Jain and Tiwari presented mathematical model to investigate the effect of
greenhouse on crops drying (Cabbage and Peas) under natural and forced
convection and for open sun drying (natural convection).
Jain developed a mathematical model to study the performance of a span
greenhouse with packed bed thermal storage was carried out for drying onions in
trays. It was observed that the crop moisture content and drying rate decreases with
the drying time of the day. This model is useful for predicting the crop
temperature, moisture content and drying rate of crop and for reviewing the
upgrade of crop drying by using such a greenhouse.
Koyuncu investigated on the performance upgrade of greenhouse type
agricultural dryers. It concluded that these types of dryers are 2-5 times more
effective and was of much high quality than open sun dryers and it was
successfully drying a variety of agricultural products and to prevent spoilage [14].
Janjai and Chaichoet et al. investigated the performance of a PV-ventilated
greenhouse dryer for drying bananas. The results showed that 50 kg of fresh
bananas with initial moisture content of 70% can be dried in 3 days and natural sun
drying required 5 days of drying time in the same weather conditions. It concluded
that the dried products of high quality were acquired.

4
 Kumar and Tiwari studied the effect of mass on convective heat transfer
coefficient during onion flakes drying. It concluded that there was 30-135%
increase in convective heat transfer as the mass of onion flakes was increased from
300 to 900 g for different modes of drying and it depends significantly on the mode
of drying and on mass of onion to be dried.
Kumar and Tiwari presented an experimental validation and thermal
modeling of greenhouse drying system for jaggery under forced convection mode.
It concluded that the thermal model was approved with the experimental
observations and numbers of air changes per hour, relative humidity, jaggery mass
were effective parameters for drying of jaggery under forced convection mode.
Tiwari et al. studied experimentally, greenhouse drying (natural convection)
of prawn. It predicted that the convective heat transfer coefficients as function of
moisture content of prawn and due to size and initial moisture content of prawn,
values of convective heat transfer coefficient diversed radically with size and the
type of substances.

5
 CHAPTER 3
BASIC FORMS OF GREEN HOUSE DRYER
It is concluded that in the design of greenhouse, the shape and orientation of
a greenhouse plays an important role. Greenhouse having different shapes which as
follows like spherical dome, hyperbolic paraboloid, Quonset, modified Quonset,
gothic arch, mansard roof, gabic even span, gabic uneven span.
Simple arrangement, inexpensive, appropriate for basic unit to use . Drying
temperature is low and permits direct exposure to the sun’s material. Solar energy
drying device of glasshouse which efficiency is very low accept the solar total
radiation energy efficient utilization rate is only 15% used for moisture evaporation
materials, mostly lost to the atmosphere.
3.1 Classification of green house
Greenhouses can be classified based on their shape or style. For the purpose
of classification, the uniqueness of the cross section of the greenhouses can be
considered as a factor. As the longitudinal section tend to be approximately the
same for all types, the longitudinal section of the greenhouse cannot be used for
classification. The cross sections depict the width and height of the structure and
the length is perpendicular to the plane of cross section. Also, the cross section
provides information on the overall shape of the structural members, such as truss
or hoop, which will be repeated on every day. The commonly followed types of
greenhouse based on shape are lean-to, even span, uneven span, ridge and furrow,
saw tooth and quonset.
3.1.1 Lean-to type greenhouse
A lean-to design is used when a greenhouse is placed against the side of an
existing building. It is built against a building, using the existing structure for one
or more of its sides. It is usually attached to a house, but may be attached to other
buildings. The roof of the building is extended with appropriate greenhouse
6
covering material and the area is properly enclosed. It is typically facing south
side. The lean-to type greenhouse is limited to single or double-row plant benches
with a total width of 7 to 12 feet. It can be as long as the building it is attached to.
It should face the best direction for adequate sun exposure. The advantage of the
lean-to type greenhouse is that, it usually is close to available electricity, water,
and heat. It is a least expensive structure. This design makes the best use of
sunlight and minimizes the requirement of roof supports. It has the following
disadvantages: limited space, limited light, limited ventilation and temperature
control. The height of the supporting wall limits the potential size of the design.
Temperature control is more difficult because the wall that the greenhouse is built
on, may collect the sun's heat while the translucent cover of the greenhouse may
lose heat rapidly. It is a half greenhouse, split along the peak of the roof.

Fig 3.1 Lean-to type greenhouse

3.1.2 Even span type greenhouse
The even-span is the standard type and full-size structure, the two roof
slopes are of equal pitch and width. This design is used for the greenhouse of small
size, and it is constructed on level ground. It is attached to a house at one gable
end. It can accommodate 2 or 3 rows of plant benches. The cost of an even-span
greenhouse is more than the cost of a lean-to type, but it has greater flexibility in
design and provides for more plants. Because of its size and greater amount of

7
exposed glass area, the even-span will cost more to heat. The design has a better
shape than a lean-to type for air circulation to maintain uniform temperatures
during the winter heating season. A separate heating system is necessary unless the
structure is very close to a heated building. It will house 2 side benches, 2 walks,
and a wide center bench. Several single and multiple span types are available for
use in various regions of India. For single span type the span in general, varies
from 5 to 9 m, whereas the length is around 24 m. The height varies from 2.5 to 4.3
m.

Fig 3.2 Even span type greenhouse

3.1.3 Uneven span type greenhouse

This type of greenhouse is constructed on hilly terrain. The roofs are of
unequal width; make the structure adaptable to the side slopes of hill (Fig. 2). This
type of greenhouses is seldom used now-a-days as it is not adaptable for
automation.

8
 Fig 3.3 Uneven span type greenhouse

3.1.4 Ridge and furrow type greenhouse

Designs of this type use two or more A-frame greenhouses connected to one
another along the length of the eave. The eave serves as furrow or gutter to carry
rain and melted snow away. The side wall is eliminated between the greenhouses,
which results in a structure with a single large interior, Consolidation of interior
space reduces labour, lowers the cost of automation, improves personal
management and reduces fuel consumption as there is less exposed wall area
through which heat escapes. The snow loads must be taken into the frame
specifications of these greenhouses since the snow cannot slide off the roofs as in
case of individual free standing greenhouses, but melts away. In spite of snow
loads, ridge and furrow greenhouses are effectively used in northern countries of
Europe and in Canada and are well suited to the Indian conditions.

Fig 3.4 Ridge and furrow type greenhouse

9
3.1.5 Saw tooth type Greenhouse
These are also similar to ridge and furrow type greenhouses except that,
there is provision for natural ventilation in this type. Specific natural ventilation
flow path develops in a saw- tooth type greenhouse.

Fig 3.5 Saw tooth type Greenhouse

3.1.6 Quonset greenhouse

This is a greenhouse, where the pipe arches or trusses are supported by pipe
purling running along the length of the greenhouse. In general, the covering
material used for this type of greenhouses is polyethylene. Such greenhouses are
typically less expensive than the gutter connected greenhouses and are useful when
a small isolated cultural area is required. These houses are connected either in free,
standing style or arranged in an interlocking ridge and furrow. In the interlocking
type, truss members overlap sufficiently to allow a bed of plants to grow between
the overlapping portions of adjacent houses. A single large cultural space thus
exists for a set of houses in this type, an arrangement that is better adapted to the
automation and movement of labour.

10
 Fig 3.6 Quonset greenhouse

3.2 Greenhouse type based on utility

Classification of greenhouses can be made depending on the functions or
utilities. Of the different utilities, artificial cooling and heating of the greenhouse
are more expensive and elaborate. Hence based on the artificial cooling and
heating, greenhouses are classified as green houses for active heating and active
cooling system.
3.3 Greenhouses for active heating
During the night time, air temperature inside greenhouse decreases. To avoid
the cold bite to plants due to freezing, some amount of heat has to be supplied. The
requirements for heating greenhouse depend on the rate at which the heat is lost to
the outside environment. Various methods are adopted to reduce the heat losses,
viz., using double layer polyethylene, thermo pane glasses (Two layers of factory
sealed glass with dead air space) or to use heating systems, such as unit heaters,
central heat, radiant heat and solar heating system.
3.3.1 Wooden framed structures
In general, for the greenhouses with span less than 6 m, only wooden framed
structures are used. Side posts and columns are constructed of wood without the
use of a truss. Pine wood 4 is commonly used as it is inexpensive and possesses the

11
required strength. Timber locally available, with good strength, durability and
machinability also can be used for the construction.
3.3.2 Pipe framed structures
Pipes are used for construction of greenhouses, when the clear span is
around 12m. In general, the side posts, columns, cross ties and purlins are
constructed using pipes. In this type, the trusses are not used.

3.7 Pipe framed structures

3.3.3 Truss framed structures
If the greenhouse span is greater than or equal to 15m, truss frames are
used. Flat steel, tubular steel or angular iron is welded together to form a truss
encompassing rafters, chords and struts. Struts are support members under
compression and chords are support members under tension. Angle iron purlins
running throughout the length of greenhouse are bolted to each truss. Columns are
used only in very wide truss frame houses of 21.3 m or more. Most of the glass
houses are of truss frame type, as these frames are best suited for pre-fabrication.

12
 3.8 Truss framed structures
3.4 Greenhouse type based on covering materials
Covering materials are the major and important component of the
greenhouse structure. Covering materials have direct influence on the greenhouse
effect inside the structure and they alter the air temperature inside the house. The
types of frames and method of fixing also varies with the covering material. Based
on the type of covering materials, the greenhouses are classified as glass, plastic
film and rigid panel greenhouses.
3.4.1 Glass greenhouses
Only glass greenhouses with glass as the covering material existed prior to
1950. Glass as covering material has the advantage of greater interior light
intensity. These greenhouses have higher air infiltration rate which leads to lower
interior humidity and better disease prevention. Lean-to type, even span, ridge and
furrow type of designs are used for construction of glass greenhouse.
3.4.2 Plastic film greenhouses
Flexible plastic films including polyethylene, polyester and polyvinyl
chloride are used as covering material in this type of greenhouses. Plastics as
covering material for greenhouses have become popular, as they are cheap and the
cost of heating is less when compared to glass greenhouses. The main disadvantage

13
with plastic films is its short life. For example, the best quality ultraviolet (UV)
stabilized film can last for four years only. Quonset design as well as gutter-
connected design is suitable for using this covering material.
3.4.3 Rigid panel greenhouses
Polyvinyl chloride rigid panels, fibre glass-reinforced plastic, acrylic and
polycarbonate rigid panels are employed as the covering material in the quonset
type frames or ridge and furrow type frame. This material is more resistant to
breakage and the light intensity is uniform throughout the greenhouse when
compared to glass or plastic. High grade panels have long life even up to 20 years.
The main disadvantage is that these panels tend to collect dust as well as to harbor
algae, which results in darkening of the panels and subsequent reduction in the
light transmission. There is significant danger of fire hazard.
3.5 Shading nets
There are a great number of types and varieties of plants that grow naturally
in the most diverse climate conditions that have been transferred by modern
agriculture from their natural habitats to controlled crop conditions. Therefore,
conditions similar to the natural ones must be created for each type and variety of
plant. Each type of cultivated plant must be given the specific type of shade
required for the diverse phases of its development. The shading nets fulfill the task
of giving appropriate micro-climate conditions to the plants. Shade nettings are
designed to protect the crops and plants from UV radiation, but they also provide
protection from climate conditions, such as temperature variation, intensive rain
and winds. Better growth conditions can be achieved for the crop due to the
controlled micro-climate conditions “created” in the covered area, with shade
netting, which results in higher crop yields. All nettings are UV stabilized to fulfill
expected lifetime at the area of exposure. They are characterized of high tear
resistance, low weight for easy and quick installation with a 30-90% shade value
14
range. A wide range of shading nets are available in the market which are defined
on the basis of the percentage of shade they deliver to the plant growing under
them.

15
 CHAPTER 4
DESIGN OF GREEN HOUSE DRYING SYSTEM
4.1 Design of Gable Roof
Greenhouse dryers are constructed with a principle that they have a rigid
load- bearing frame which is placed at certain spans and not deformed under the
loads acting on them and a transparent cover material placed on them which allows
short wave solar radiation to enter and is partially opaque to the long wave
radiation leading to a greenhouse effect. Design of greenhouse should depend upon
sound scientific principles that facilitates controlled environment for plant growth.
Orientations of greenhouses are negotiating for wind direction, latitude of location
and type of temperature control and avoid dropping of shadow on the nearby
greenhouses.

16
(a)Right side view (b) front view

(c) Top view

Fig 4.1 views of green house dryer design

17
Fig 4.2 3D model

18
 CHAPTER 5
COMPONENTS USED
5.1 Gable roof frame
Design of greenhouse should depend upon sound scientific principles that
facilitates controlled environment for plant growth. Orientations of greenhouses
are negotiating for wind direction, latitude of location and type of temperature
control and avoid dropping of shadow on the nearby greenhouses.

Fig 5.1 Gable roof frame

5.2 Polyethylene sheeting (film)

It has a big role in offering plastic protection. It is used in construction as vapor
retarders, window films, flooring and counter top protection, and even in roofing.

19
Polyethylene sheet can be used to seal off rooms, cover building materials, and be
used in lead abatement projects. There are so many variation of the film, each one
engineered for its project. The key is to educate yourself of the options so you get
the most useful film to make your job easier. For example, why use a drop cloth
on carpeting when you can use self adhesive plastic that sticks to the carpeting. If
you knock over the paint can, the carpet won't get ruined. A drop cloth can easily
be moved and not protect where you thought is was.
Even though polyethylene sheeting takes a hit from environmentalists for its
slow rate of decomposition, HDPE plastic sheeting is there to protect he ground
water from toxic chemicals from oil drilling or from landfills. It is used to slow
run-off on hills, and keep lead out of the ocean during shipbuilding projects.
Polyethylene sheeting is such a versatile product used in all aspects of life.

Fig 5.2 Polyethylene sheeting (film)

20
5.3 Exhaust fan
A vital way of maintaining good health is appropriate air circulation. Good
ventilation keeps bad odors, impurities and other unsafe gases away, and stops the
formation of harmful mold inside your home. A proper ventilation device keeps
your home away from unfortunate damage. Exhaust fans are a means to make sure
the appropriate ventilation in your home. The major areas where it should be
installed are the restroom as well as the kitchen as they usually contain most of the
moisture and odor. Who likes to sit in room full of odour? You guessed it right,
nobody. Presenting to you with the ideal solution to all your odour problems, The
Havells range of domestic exhaust fans removes stale odors, leaving your rooms
fresh and healthy. Their noiseless operation along with aesthetic looks, high utility
and performance make these multipurpose machines a must have. With a sleek and
trendy design, Havells exhaust fans are lightweight and carry out their functions
silently. These fans also last for a longer period as they have a rust proof body and
blades. Though, it is essential that these fans are taken good care of so that they
last and function for long.

21
 Fig 5.3 Exhaust fan

5.4 Blower
There are two quite different uses of the term “blower” in automotive contexts,
although they are both pieces of equipment used to move air around.

Almost every modern car has a multi-speed blower in the climate control
system, to move air past the heater core or air conditioning evaporator and out the
dashboard or floor vents.

The other type of blower used sometimes in cars is a Roots-type supercharger,

also known as a Roots blower, and further shortened to just “blower”. As with
other types of superchargers, they are used to pressurize the air going into the
intake of the internal-combustion cylinders, increasing the mass of oxygen in the
cylinder volume, allowing for more fuel to be combusted, and thus more power to
be generated by the engine.
22
 Fig 5.4 blower
5.5 Weigh gauge
In the demanding environment of the metals processing industry getting the
right balance between accuracy, speed and reliability in your sensing systems can
mean a great deal. ABB offers a wide range of dedicated products for weighing
applications for crane, scrap, blast furnace and continuous casting. These are
embedded into the road surface and the load created by each axle measured. A
recent innovation is so-called Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) technology where the truck
can be weighed accurately without needing to stop.

23
 Fig 5.5 weigh gauge
5.6 Temperature indicator
Modeling simple, elegant, LCD panels inline connections, moisture-resistant,
strong anti-interference, applies to refrigerated cabinets, display counters and other
needs of temperature measurement and display of various equipment. Features:
Long probe line: 80cm molded case probe Specifications: Size: 47*28*14mm
Weight 22g Package size: 60*70*20mm Package weight.

Fig 5.6 Temperature indicator

24
 CHAPTER 6
EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS
A UV stabilized polyethylene sheet has been fitted over the structural frame
of the dryer which helps in creating the greenhouse effect. It also prevents
unnecessary circulation of ambient air and thus maintains the desired temperature
inside the greenhouse. The air that entered at the bottom of the dryer would get
heated up and flow through the wire mesh thereby removing the moisture content
from the grape surface. This hot air was removed forcibly from the dryer by a DC
fan through the vent; this method is called forced mode of drying. The speed of the
fan was directly related to the output of the PV panel which in turn depended on
the solar radiation. Thus the speed of the fan varied with the amount of radiation.
The experiment was conducted for duration of 7 hours per day.

6.1 Temperature variation and Moisture removal on open system

Calculation of moisture content Calculate the moisture content on a wet-

weight basis using the following formula:

Moisture content (%)

𝑊2 − 𝑊3
𝑀= 𝑋100
𝑊2 − 𝑊1

where,

W1 = weight of container with lid;

W2 = weight of container with lid and sample before drying; and

W3 = weight of container with lid and sample after drying

25
 The amount of moisture removed from the Groundnut is maximum at noon
because the moisture from the surface of the grape is easily removed without much
radiation, and then the extent of moisture removal decreases as the time elapses. As
expected, the amount of moisture removed from Groundnut in the greenhouse
(closed system) is more than in the open system.
Table 6.1 temperature variation and moisture content on open system

moisture
Sl no. Time temperature Moisture
content
0
AM/PM C Gm %
1 9:00 38.3 400 -
2 10:00 42.5 398 13.00%
3 11:00 45.6 396 13.50%
4 12:00 51.6 390 15.00%
5 1:00 57.8 384 16.50%
6 2:00 57.4 379 17.75%
7 3:00 56.2 374 19.00%
8 4:00 47.3 371 19.75%
9 5:00 38.7 369 20.25%

6.2 Temperature variation and Moisture removal on closed system

The temperature variation and moisture removal rate on ground net were
carried out in gable roof system. In the greenhouse system, the speed of the fan
plays an important role in moisture removal. The effectiveness of the dryer could
be increased by removing the hot air from the dryer. In order to obtain maximum
amount of moisture removal, the fan speed should be more than the wind velocity.

26
Moisture removal was at its peak in the closed system during midday and
decreased gradually due to reduced fan speed. On a cloudy day if the light intensity
is sufficient to drive the fan at rated speed, then the moisture removal will be at its
highest in a closed system of drying. It has been observed from the experiments
that more the air velocity, more the moisture removal from the system.
Table 6.2 Temperature variation and Moisture removal on closed system

moisture
Sl no. Time temperature Moisture
content
0
AM/PM C Gm %
1 9:00 38.5 400
2 10:00 42.4 396 13.50%
3 11:00 44.4 389 15.25%
4 12:00 56.6 385 16.25%
5 1:00 57.1 377 18.25%
6 2:00 57.2 373 19.25%
7 3:00 56.9 372 19.50%
8 4:00 47.3 372 19.50%
9 5:00 37.8 367 20.75%

6.3 Temperature variation and Moisture removal on closed system with

Blower

Moisture content is taken on dry basis and has been calculated by an

equation. It was observed that the moisture content removed in the closed system
was slightly more than in the open system.

27
Table 6.3 Temperature variation and Moisture removal on closed system with
Blower

moisture
Sl no. Time temperature Moisture
content
0
AM/PM C Gm %
1 9:00 38.3 400
2 10:00 42.5 397 13.25%
3 11:00 45.6 389 15.25%
4 12:00 51.6 385 16.25%
5 1:00 57.8 379 17.75%
6 2:00 57.4 372 19.50%
7 3:00 56.2 370 20.00%
8 4:00 47.3 367 20.75%
9 5:00 38.7 364 21.50%

6.4 Temperature variation and Moisture removal on closed system with

Exhaust fan

In order to ascertain the effectiveness of a solar dryer, a sample experiment

was done without using a fan. The performance of a greenhouse dryer without a
DC fan was studied and compared with the open system to elucidate or justify the
use of a DC fan. It was observed that the moisture removed in the greenhouse
system was slightly more than that in the open during the initial and final period.
During midday the moisture removed was more in the open system than in the
closed system.

28
Table 6.4 Temperature variation and Moisture removal on closed system with
Exhaust fan

moisture
Sl no. Time temperature Moisture
content
0
AM/PM C Gm %
1 9:00 38.5 400
2 10:00 39.8 398 13.00%
3 11:00 43.5 397 13.25%
4 12:00 48.4 389 15.25%
5 1:00 55.6 377 18.25%
6 2:00 56.5 372 19.50%
7 3:00 48.3 369 20.25%
8 4:00 44.5 366 21.00%
9 5:00 40.4 365 21.25%

6.5 Temperature variation and Moisture removal on closed system with

Blower and exhaust fan

Rate of drying gives the rate at which the moisture is removed, higher the
value more effective is the system. It was observed that the rate of drying was
constant during the first day of the experiment; this was because of the removal of
surface moisture from the Groundnut. It was constant up to critical value after
which it decreased gradually. This rate was higher in closed than in open systems
as shown in graph 6. The rate of drying decreases linearly with respect to moisture
content. Drying followed the falling rate regime and no constant rate regime was
observed. The falling rate was characterized by the moisture transfer by molecular
diffusion. It was influenced by the moisture content and the temperature of the
29
material. According to the experiments, the temperature of drying appeared to be
the most important factor affecting the rate of drying.
Table 6.5 Temperature variation and Moisture removal on closed system with
Blower and exhaust fan

moisture
Sl no. Time Temperature Moisture
content
0
AM/PM C Gm %
1 9:00 38.3 400
2 10:00 41.5 396 13.50%
3 11:00 45.6 389 15.25%
4 12:00 50.3 375 18.75%
5 1:00 56.9 365 21.25%
6 2:00 57.3 357 23.25%
7 3:00 56.2 351 24.75%
8 4:00 48.5 346 26.00%
9 5:00 38.6 345 26.25%

30
 CHAPTER 7
CONCLUSIONS
To sum up the following conclusions may be drawn.
 During the drying of Groundnut, solar radiation increases sharply from 10
am to noon, reaches its peak and then decreases considerably. Hence the
maximum amount of moisture removal is observed during the afternoons.
 In the greenhouse dryer, moisture removal depends on the speed of the fan.
Since the radiation varies from 10 am to 4 pm, the speed of the fan also
varies accordingto it. During noon, the fan rotates at its maximum speed.
Thus the greenhouse dryer is most effective during the afternoon.
 The weight of the greenhouse Groundnut was lesser than those in the open
condition by the end of the experiment implying that the amount of moisture
removed from the Groundnut in the greenhouse is more than that in the open
system.
 The measurement results illustrate that the drying rate for greenhouse is
more than in the open system. However, during cloudy days, the drying rate
for both systems is nearly equal.
 From the experimental studies it is observed that the amount of moisture
removed from greenhouse is higher than that in the open system, even
without using a DC fan. Though on an experimental basis, the exercise has
made it clear that the greenhouse solar dryer is a promising appliance since it
is based on renewable energy and with effective marketing can be used for
various drying purposes.

31
 REFERENCE

[1] R. K. Sahdev, Open sun and greenhouse drying of agricultural and food
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