The principal applications of solar air dryer or heater are, for drying agriculture and industrial products and for space heating. Indeed , they are the logical choice for these applications, compared to liquid flat-plate collectors ,because they eliminate the need to transfer heat from fluid to another. Drying is simply the process of moisture removal from a product. Solar heated air could be used more effectively for drying of the various products under controlled conditions, In this solar air dryer, in which regenerative desiccant material is used, to extract heat from product during off sun shine hours. This type of active solar air dryer is tested using desiccant material is a mixture of 60 % bentonite , 10% calcium chloride, 20% vermiculate and 10 % cement and is molded in the shape of cylinders. In the off sunshine hours , the dryer is operated by circulating the air inside the drying chamber through the desiccant bed by a reversible fan. The dryer is used to dry domestic and industrial products. Approximately 68% of moisture is removed by this dryer with desiccant material. But in open drying there is loss in strength and color due to absorbing more moisture form atmosphere. Purpose of this solar dryer is to dry domestic and industrial products during off sunshine hours using desiccant integrated material.
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