A New Type of Modular Dryer Combining Solar Energy and Producer Gas

ABSTRACT The main concept oithis research is to develop a flexible modular dryer that combines two different sources of non-conventional energy. In this study, solar energy and producer gas generated by an up-flow charcoal gasifier were considered. The drying system was set out by using a 0.6 m3 modular cabinet supporting a solar collector of 2.5 m2 surface area. 16 kg of chatcoal was used in each bateb to feed the gasifier. The experiment was performed for drying beef that required two different stages of drying temperture: the first. which used producer gas requires approximatly 60°C for four hours and the second used solar energy at 40° for six hours. The energy consumed for drying 16 kg of beef was 7.57 MJ7sol;kg H2o