Chapter 4

Result and Discussion

Hybrid dryer based on solar and electricity was developed at Department of
Renewable Energy Engineering, College of Technology and Engineering, Udaipur.
The experimental data during no load and full load testing along with input
environmental parameters such as solar radiation, ambient temperature and ambient
relative humidity were recorded. The recorded data were analyzed to evaluate the
technical and economics performance.
The techno-economical analysis of the system was evaluated in terms of net
present worth, benefit cost ratio, payback period and internal rate of return. This
chapter deals with the result of the technical and economical feasibility of hybrid
drying system for drying of onion flakes.
4.1 Performance Curves for Hybrid Dryer
The no load performance of hybrid dryer was evaluated in two conditions as
without electric heater and with electric heater.
4.1.1 No load performance
A) Without electric heater
The no load test was carried out to know the trend of various operating
parameters with respect to time. The temperature profile at various positions in dryer
is presented in fig 4.1. It was observed that the insolation was increased up to 13.00 h
and then decreases. Similarly the ambient temperature increased with the day time
and slightly decreases in late hours.
The temperature of air along the collector length was increased. The
temperature at collector outlet and dryer outlet was increased up to 13.00 hours and
then decreased. In initial hours of operation there was temperature drop across hot
water storage, but later on there was increase in air temperature at hot water outlet.
During the no load there was no product in drying unit. This resulted in increase in
hot water outlet temperature. The relative humidity of dryer outlet air was less than
that of inlet air.

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The maximum temperature attained at end of evacuated tube collector was in

between 55 to 60C at 14.00 h, when the radiation was also high i.e. 1000 W/m 2.
From Fig. 4.1 it can be inferred that the temperature rise is the function of solar
radiation, ambient temperature and time dependent.

Fig 4.1 Performance curve for no load without electric heater

B) With electric heater
The variation of operating parameters during no load with electric heater was
represented in Fig. 4.2. The trend of various parameters over time during no load with
electric heater was same as that of without heater. The temperature of hot air was set
at 60C. The electricity consumption was approximately 8 units in 10 h.
4.1.2 Full load performance
The full load testing is presented in Fig. 4.3. The temperature of drying
chamber was set at 60C. Electric heater was provided to supply heat when
temperature falls below 60C.It was observed that during the full load the maximum
temperature at ambient was 40.2C. The maximum solar radiation was 1020 W/m 2 at
13.00 hrs. The maximum hot water inlet temperature was 62 C. The temperature of
drying chamber inlet and all of the three trays varies between 60 to 65 C during the
day.
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Fig4.2 Performance curve for no load with electric heater

4.1.3 Variation in moisture content
Average moisture content (w.b.) during full load test is presented in Fig. 4.4.
Within 10 hours, the onion flakes were dried from moisture content of 87 % to 10 %
(w.b). At initially, moisture evaporates rapidly and then it is removed slowly.
4.1.4 Variation in drying rate with respect to time
The drying rate for the onion flakes was estimated from the difference
in its moisture content in a given time interval and expressed as gram water
evaporated per hour. It has been observed that drying rate of onion flakes was
decreased as moisture content is decreases. Drying rate of onion flakes varies between
0.65 to 2.14 as shown in fig. 4.5.

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Fig 4.3 Performance curve for full load testing

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Fig 4.4 Variation in moisture content with respect to time

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Fig 4.5 Variation in drying rate with respect to time

4.1.5 Variation in electricity consumption
Electricity consumption during full load testing was 8 kWh. Electricity
consumption is higher in starting as compared to during 13:00 h. at initial hours water
temperature in heat exchanger cum storage unit is low, due to this heat requirements
are met through electric heater. It is clearly shown in the graph that as sunshine
increases, energy supply through electric heater decreases.

Fig 4.6 Variation in hourly electricity consumption with respect to time

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Plate 4.1 Onion flakes before drying

Plate 4.2 Onion flakes after drying

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4.2 Techno Economics of Hybrid Dryer

The techno economics were carried out on the basis of assumptions made in
section 3.10. The various economic indicators are presented in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1 Economic indicator for Hybrid dryer
Sr. No.

Economic indicator

Value

Net present worth

Rs. 3,48,270.71

B/C ratio

1.6

Payback period

1 year 8 months

IRR %

71.83

The cost benefit ratio was found to be 1.6 with a payback period of 1 year 8
months. It can be inferred that the developed dryer is technically as well as
economically feasible. The higher percentage of the internal rate i.e.71.83 per
cent of return indicated the good economical return of the investment.

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