Özet:

The open-air solar drying is a traditional method used for drying Gelidium sesquipedale in Morocco, an important commercial maritime specie of red algae existing in abundant quantities in the large Moroccan coast between Safi and EL jadida. However, this method is not professional and is time-consuming. Here, we present a modified design of a solar air heater destined to use as a component in an indirect solar dryer of Gelidium sesquipedale. We report the results of simulation of the thermal behavior of a modified simple back-pass solar collector in order to predict parameters influencing its thermal performances, such as the number and the diameter of perforations in the configuration, the airflow rate, the solar irradiance. To achieve this, a 3D simulation with finite element model (FEM) is built using the meteorological data collected at the chosen location during the regular harvesting period (July, August and September). The results show that the optimal simulated configuration of a flat plate solar collector is of seven symmetrical perforations of 30 mm diameter, and mass airflow rate around 60kg/h. The best conditions for drying algae are achieved using a solar collector facing south and inclined by 20° to the horizontal. The air outlet temperature will be in the range of 35 to 44°C that is relevant for low temperature drying of seven hours a day, safeguarding the quality of the red algae destined for processing.<

Anahtar Kelimeler: