Evaluation of Different Absorber Types Efficiency Within Natural Convection Solar Dryers Using 3-D Finite Element Analysis

This paper presents a mathematical model to analyze the temperature distribution inside natural convection solar dryers. The model is formulated as a second-order partial differential equation. In order to perform simulations, the Three-Dimensional Finite Element Method (3-D FEM) is employed and the results, presented graphically, are utilized by using the MATLAB program. The solving technique of 3-D FEM is evaluated for time-dependent systems, and numerical integration is applied through the backward difference algorithm. The study investigates the performance of different types of absorbers in achieving temperature distribution in food and natural convection solar dryers. Specifically, three types of absorbers are compared: aluminum, copper, and anodized aluminum. The simulation results indicate that the anodized aluminum absorber yields the highest maximum food temperature at 65.97 °C and the highest maximum temperature within the natural convection solar dryer at 65.25 °C. This is attributed to anodized aluminum's superior conductivity, followed by copper, and lastly, aluminum, which has the lowest conductivity rate.