Thermal and nutritional optimization of a TiO 2 nanoparticle‐coated passive solar dryer for meat using hybrid RSM ‐ Bald Eagle Search optimization

Abstract The thermal and nutritional efficiency of a passive solar dryer, using a TiO 2 (titanium dioxide) coated absorber plate was studied experimentally. Empirical models were developed between the measured chamber temperature, drying time, and coating thickness with the protein retention and final moisture content, respectively, using a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Central Composite Design (CCD). The resultant models exhibited excellent predictive power with R 2 values of more than 0.97. The fitted RSM response surfaces were then used in Bald Eagle Search to determine the optimal operating conditions in the experimental regions. The moisture content at the end of the experiment was 4.9% with a protein retention of 91.2%. Experiments showed that the maximum surface temperature of the TiO 2 ‐coated and uncoated configurations was 76.4°C and 66.2°C, respectively, while the maximum thermal efficiencies were 44.2% and 36.8%, respectively. The dryer under the optimized condition obtained a maximum experimental protein retention of 91.2%, and the moisture content at the end of drying was 4.9%, and there was a significant reduction in drying time compared to the uncoated system. The TiO 2 ‐coated absorber also improved the uniformity of drying, increased effective heat use, and improved the thermal efficiency without compromising product quality.