Performance Analysis of an ETC‐Assisted Vertical Cabinet Solar Ginger Dryer: An Experimental Study

ABSTRACT Solar drying is a vital technology for improving food preservation, advancing sustainable agriculture, and promoting economic development. In this context, this study focuses on evaluating and comparing the performance of an evacuated tube collector‐assisted vertical cabinet solar dryer (ETC‐VCSD) for ginger slices drying at different inlet air velocities. The moisture content of ginger slices alleviated from 89% to 48.43%, 11.73%, and 9.52% on a wet basis at 0.2, 1.2, and 2.2 m/s, respectively, with an average drying rate (DR) of 64.39, 72.98, and 76.48 g/h. The Midilli–Kucuk model fairly described the drying behavior of ginger slices. DR, heat transfer coefficients ( h c,a and h e,a ), and thermal efficiency were found to be maximum at 2.2 m/s, and their average values were, respectively, 76.48 g/h, 2.64 W/(m 2 °C), 280.38 W/(m 2 °C) and 12.52%. Embodied energy and fabrication costs of ETC‐VCSD were 958.68 kWh and 7771.0 INR, respectively. The lowest energy payback time of ETC‐VCSD was observed to be 2.57 years at 2.2 m/s and CO 2 emission was found to be 31.32 kg/year. The values of the payback period were evaluated to be 0.14, 1.12, and 1.46 years at 0.2, 1.2, and 2.2 m/s, respectively. The insights gained from this research could help develop energy‐efficient drying methods, promoting sustainability in agricultural practices across urban and rural areas.