Simulation of a flat solar collector with thermal storage for drying food

Abstract

This research addresses the numerical simulation of a working fluid, using specialized SolidWorks Flow Simulation Software, analyzing the behavior of a drying air in a flat solar collector with thermal energy storage. In addition, one of the main centers of computational study is the relationship between flow, air temperature at the outlet of the collector and efficiency; This study allows researchers a vision of the principles of the design of these technologies, especially if it focuses on the drying of food. Then, a proposal is made on the requirements to be taken into account for the sizing of collectors based on the requirements of the product to be dried. Among the results obtained, it is established that a correctly designed collector and under a variable air flow, based on the intensity of the irradiation in specific coordinates and location, can reach efficiencies close to 30% with temperatures close to 60 ° C, being ideal for injecting this fluid into a drying chamber, where the food to be dehydrated is available. For the selection of the volume of the material for energy storage, it is recommended to take the melting temperatures as a base, with a constant flow of air, it is normal that within the system, the temperature varies depending on the position, therefore it is recommending the application of materials with different melting temperatures, which are strategically located within the storage tank.