An Experimental Investigation of a PCM-Integrated Indirect Solar Dryer for Effective Coconut and Onion Dehydration

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to experimentally evaluate an indirect sun dryer combined with a phase change material (PCM) based on lauric acid for drying agricultural items like coconuts and onions in order to meet the rising need for sustainable and energy-efficient food preservation techniques. A medium-temperature PCM called lauric acid was added to the system to stabilise the drying temperature by storing thermal energy during periods of high solar radiation and releasing it during periods of low sunlight. By contrasting moisture reduction and specific energy consumption between PCM-integrated and traditional (non-PCM) configurations under various weather conditions, the system's performance was evaluated. According to the results, the PCM-based drier reduced the moisture content of coconuts by 71% and onions by 62%. It also reduced the specific energy consumption to 2.1 kWh/kg, which was lower than the non-PCM's 3.5 kWh/kg. These results demonstrate how well the system works to maintain steady drying efficiency in spite of variations in sun availability. Small-scale farmers and rural agro-processing facilities will especially benefit from the suggested dryer's scalable and affordable decentralised crop drying solution. This work supports wider adoption in sustainable farming practices by providing a new dual-crop case study and important experimental insights into the thermal performance and dependability of PCM-based sun drying systems.