Energy, economic analysis and mathematical modelling of mixed-mode solar drying of potato slices with thermal storage loaded V-groove collector: Application to Maghreb region

This research aims to study the thermodynamic and economic feasibility of a mixed-type solar dryer of potato chips equipped with a V-corrugated solar collector and loaded with a heat storage system in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The thermodynamic, economic assessment and environmental impact of deploying the solar dryer were investigated. For, this reason a mix-mode solar dryer with V- groove collector loaded with granite bed as thermal storage was developed at the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Tangier, Morocco. Drying of the potato chips took 4.5 h at a collector efficiency of 60.08%. Solar radiation heat contributed 78.18% of energy utilization while the granite bed thermal storage contributed 21.82%. The effectiveness of energy utilization embodied in specific energy consumption was determined as 6.109 kWh/kg and the specific moisture extraction rate was deduced as 0.1637kg/kWh. Wang/Singh and Midilli/Kucuk models presented the best kinetic models for predicting the potato drying kinetic in the mixed-type dryer and open sun drying, respectively. Using the solar dryer in the Maghreb country of Morocco can save $69.58 to $698.5 on running costs with a payback period of 0.179–1.744 years at a usage rate of 10–100%. Environmental impact assessment showed the dryer can limit up to 163 tons of CO 2 from the atmosphere at the current usage.