Simulation model for solar energy harnessing by the solar tunnel dryer

Authors

  • G. M. Kituu Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department,Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • D. Shitanda Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • C. L. Kanali Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • J. T. Mailutha Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • C. K. Njoroge Food Science and Technology Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • J. K. Wainaina Institute of Computer Science and Information Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • J. S. Bongyereire Africa 2000 Network (A2N)

Abstract

Models were developed to predict global solar radiation and the energy harnessed by a solar tunnel dryer, and simulated in Visual Basic 6.  In addition, the simulated data were compared with actual data.  Using a 10% absolute residual error interval, the developed model achieved 78.4% and 83.3% performance for global solar radiation and energy harnessing, respectively.  Further, the relationship between global solar radiation and the ten years mean satellite solar radiation, and that between the actual and simulated plenum chamber temperatures were linear, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.788 and 0.962.  Thus, it shows that there is the existence of strong correlation between satellite and predicted global solar radiation, and between predicted and actual plenum chamber temperatures.  Furthermore, Student’s t-test did not show any significant difference between simulated and actual data for solar radiation and energy harnessing.  Finally, this study shows that the developed model can be used to predict solar radiation and the energy harnessed by the solar tunnel dryer.

Keywords: modeling, tunnel-dryer, global, direct, solar-radiation, plenum-temperature

 

Citation: Kituu G. M., D. Shitanda, C. L. Kanali, J. T. Mailutha, C. K. Njoroge, J. K.Wainaina, and J. S Bongyereire. Simulation model for solar energy harnessing by the solar tunnel dryer.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(1): 91-98.

Author Biography

G. M. Kituu, Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department,Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department. PhD  Graduate Student

Published

2010-02-18

Issue

Section

IV-Energy in Agriculture