PERFORMANCE STUDY OF FORCED CONVECTION SOLAR DRYER WITH REFLECTOR

The main aim of the study is to investigate the effect of the reflector on drying performance of the cashew nut in a small scale solar dryer consisting of solar flat plate collector, drying chamber and blower unit. The performance test of the dryer was carried out in forced mode by the combination of with and without a reflector. Moister content, Drying rate, collector efficiency and drying efficiency during its operation have been estimated and compared with sun drying. In forced solar drying with reflector, the average drying temperature rise is 8ºC more than without reflector. The required moisture content of 3% was achieved within 8 hours with average system efficiency estimated at 10.5%