Drying of Para Rubber Sheet Using Forced Convection Solar Dryer
Abstract
This research is to test drying of para rubber sheet using forced convection solar dryer and open sun drying. The solar dryer consisted of the drying room dimension of 1.95 × 1.8 × 1.95 m (width × length × height) containing 40 sheets, the dimension of flat plate solar collector of 1.95 × 1.8 × 0.1 m (width × length × height) and the ventilation set comprising of 3 cooling fans and solar cell module 40 W. From the experimental results, the average outlet temperature of solar collector was 44 °C. The average temperature and relative humidity were 51 °C and 31 %RH sequentially at the bottom layer of hanging rubber sheet while the average temperature and relative humidity were 61 °C and 24 %RH respectively at the top layer of hanging rubber sheet. Moreover, the average ambient temperature and relative humidity were 34 °C and 62 %RH consecutively when the average solar radiation was 836 W/m2. For solar drying of rubber sheet, the moister content was lower than 3% dry-basis when the rubber sheets were dried within 5 days. In addition, the rubber sheet appearance was almost transparent. However, when the rubber sheets were dried within 7 days, the moister content was lower than 1% dry-basis and rubber sheet appearance was all transparent. Furthermore, drying of para rubber sheet should avoid open sun drying because the dried rubber sheet will suffer from melting effect. Keywords : drying, rubber sheet, solar dryerReferences
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Sharma, A., Chen, C.R., & Lan, N.V. (2009). Solar-energy drying systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 13, 1185–1210.
Singh, S., & Kumar, S. (2012). Testing method for thermal performance based rating of various solar dryer designs. Solar Energy, 86, 87–98.
Tanwanichkul, B., Thepa, S., & Rordprapat, W. (2013). Thermal modeling of the forced convection sandwich greenhouse drying system for rubber sheets. Energy Conversion and Management, 74, 511–523.
Tassanakul, P. (2011). Solar drying chamber combined with furnace for rubber sheet. Para Rubber Journal, 32(2), 12-16. (in Thai)
Bennamoun, L. (2011). Reviewing the experience of solar drying in Algeria with presentation of the different design aspects of solar dryers. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15, 3371– 3379.
Chen, C. (2003). Evaluation of air oven moisture content determination methods for rough rice. Biosystems Engineering, 86, 447–457.
Fudholi, A., Sopian K., Ruslan M.H., Alghoul M.A., & Sulaiman M.Y. (2010). Review of solar dryers for agricultural and marine products. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 14, 1–30.
Jeentada, W., Phetsongkram, P., & Chankrachang, T. (2015). Experiment of rubber sheet drying using solar dryer. In Proceeding Mechanical Engineering Network of Thailand. (pp. 29–34). Thailand: Nakhonratchasima. (in Thai)
Jeentada, W., Tippracha, P., & Naemsai, T. (2014). Rubber sheet drying by solar greenhouse dryer for household industry. In Proceeding Mechanical Engineering Network of Thailand. (pp. 115–122). Thailand: Khon Kaen. (in Thai)
Mustayen, A.G.M.B., Mekhilef S., & Saidur, R. (2014). Performance study of different solar dryers: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 34, 463–470.
Ninchuewong, T., Ekphon, A., Tirawanichakul, S., & Tirawanichakul, Y. (2012). Drying of air dried sheet rubber using hot air dryer and solar dryer for small entrepreneurs and small rubber cooperatives. Burapha Science Journal, 17(2), 50–59. (in Thai)
Prakash, O., & Kumar, A. (2014). Solar greenhouse drying: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 29, 905–910.
Rubber Authority of Thailand. (2012). Rubber planting area. Rubber Technical Information, 33-38. (in Thai)
Rubber Authority of Thailand. (2015). Rubber price. Retrieved September 17, 2015, from http://www.rubberthai.com/price/price_index.htm. (in Thai)
Sharma, A., Chen, C.R., & Lan, N.V. (2009). Solar-energy drying systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 13, 1185–1210.
Singh, S., & Kumar, S. (2012). Testing method for thermal performance based rating of various solar dryer designs. Solar Energy, 86, 87–98.
Tanwanichkul, B., Thepa, S., & Rordprapat, W. (2013). Thermal modeling of the forced convection sandwich greenhouse drying system for rubber sheets. Energy Conversion and Management, 74, 511–523.
Tassanakul, P. (2011). Solar drying chamber combined with furnace for rubber sheet. Para Rubber Journal, 32(2), 12-16. (in Thai)
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Published
2016-03-31
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