Numerical simulation and experimental validation of solar greenhouse dryer using finite element analysis for different roof shapes

The present study focuses on the numerical simulation and experimental validation of a Solar Greenhouse Dryer (SGHD). The Solar Dryers are the devices which uses solar energy to dry substances, especially crops with high moisture content, and the word Greenhouse means protection of crops from excess hot or cold climatic conditions and unwanted pests. Thus, Solar Greenhouse Dryer is a device which utilizes solar energy for drying of crops with high moisture content and prevents it from excess climatic conditions and provides optimum range of temperature and prevents the dried product from pests and dust while drying. The numerical simulation of SGHD was performed using Finite Element Analysis software ANSYS 2020 R2. Initially three different roof shapes were modelled using software CATIA V5 R3 namely triangular, trapezoidal and dome shape. The modelled SGHDs was then introduced to ANSYS domain for numerical analysis. The models were initially meshed in ANSYS workbench with unstructured tetrahedral structure of mesh over all the domains. The Solar Ray tracing content was used for numerical simulation of dryers, the solar ray tracing is used to predict direct illumination energy source produced by sun at experimental site. The experiment for no-load test was conducted at Bahe Borgaon, Dist- Sangli, Maharashtra, India at 17.115°N and 74.33°E.