Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 51 (2015) 13261337

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rser

Applications of software in solar drying systems: A review

Prashant Singh Chauhan a, Anil Kumar b,n, Perapong Tekasakul b
a

Energy Centre, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal 462051, India
Energy Technology Research Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai,
Songkhla 90112, Thailand

art ic l e i nf o

a b s t r a c t

Article history:
Received 30 January 2014
Received in revised form
29 June 2015
Accepted 8 July 2015
Available online 30 July 2015

This review paper is focused on the application of software in solar drying systems. The application of
software is very important to develop and analyze the mathematical models and predicting the
performance of different kinds of solar drying systems. It is also useful for predicting the crop
temperature, moisture content and drying rate, drying kinetics, and color of the crop. Computational
uid dynamics can be used for the analysis and investigation of air ow and temperature distribution
pattern through appropriate simulation with the help ANSYS and FLUENT. MATLAB and FORTRAN are
very useful tools to develop mathematical models for prediction the crop temperature, air temperature,
the moisture evaporated. It is also very useful for training and testing of various models. For statistical
data analysis, statistical software SPSS, Sigma Plot V and Statistica. All recent employed software and
their utility in solar drying systems are emphasized in this communication. This comprehensive review
of the various software applications in different solar drying systems is useful for academician, scientist
and researchers.
& 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords:
Solar dryer
Simulation modeling
CFD
COMSOL multi physics
FORTRAN
MATLAB
SPSS

Contents
1.
2.

3.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simulation methodologies of different solar dryers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.
Direct solar dryer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.1.
CFD simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.2.
FORTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.3.
MATLAB simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.4.
SPSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.5.
Statistica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.6.
TRNSYS simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2.
Indirect solar dryer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2.1.
CFD simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2.2.
Comsol multiphysics simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2.3.
MATLAB simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3.
Mixed mode solar dryer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3.1.
FORTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3.2.
MATLAB simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3.3.
Sigma plot V. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4.
Hybrid solar dryer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4.1.
CFD simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4.2.
FORTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4.3.
MATLAB simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4.4.
SPSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Case-study of MATLAB software based ANN model used in solar drying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corresponding author. Tel: 66 95 043 9186.

E-mail address: anilkumar76@gmail.com (A. Kumar).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.07.025
1364-0321/& 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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3.1.
ANN model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2.
Development of ANN model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3.
Result . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. Introduction
Application of solar energy has been old since the existence of
human being on the earth. At present, the way of life of the people
is dependent on the production and utilization of energy; as a
result, the demand and supplying of energy is increasing in human
societies. Presently, 77% of the world's total energy is supplied by
fossil fuels, which release polluting and greenhouse gases, by
degrading ozone layer excessively threatens environment and
contributes to more global warming. Therefore, in order to maintain an environment, considering alternate energy sources has
become an essential mission [1]. Every day earth receives thousands of times more energy from the sun than it consumed from
all other resources. Solar energy has plenty of potential to fulll
our energy demand. Solar drying is one among the applications of
utilization of solar energy. Solar drying is one of the oldest
methods of preservation of crops and it is utilized everywhere
[2]. Solar drying is a dual process of heat transfer to the product
from the heat source and mass transfer in the form of moisture,
from the product to its surface and from the surface to the
surrounding air [37].
Solar dryers are available in the variety of design and size based
on drying capacity. To test a dryer, it is essential to evaluate its
complete and relative performance with the other dryers. The test
results give the related information to the researchers, manufacturers and end users [3]. The application of software is very
important to develop and analyze the mathematical models and
predicting the performance of different kind of solar drying
systems. The design of solar drying can be optimized with the help
of software and it saves time which consumed during experiments.
It is also useful for predicting the crop temperature, moisture
content and drying rate, drying kinetics, texture and color of the
crop. Computational uid dynamics (CFD) can be used for the
analysis and investigation of air ow, air ow rate inside the solar
dryer, temperature distribution pattern and humidity, through
appropriate simulation of energy and momentum equations and

Fig. 1. Direct solar dryer [8].

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heat and mass transfer in both gaseous and solid phases [4].
MATLAB is very useful tool for developing mathematical models
to predict the crop temperature, air temperature, the moisture
evaporated and for predicting the thermal performance of the solar
dryer. It is also very supportive of training and testing of various
models [5]. Statistical software SPSS is an important tool for
statistical data analysis of any solar dryer. It computes the coefcient of determination (R2), reduced chi-square, and the percentage
of root mean square error (RMSE) which can be used for selecting
the best-t equation to describe the drying process. Another software Statistica can also be used for statistical analysis. Sigma Plot V
software is used for data tting [6]. TRNSYS software is applied for
modeling and describes the drying behavior [7].
The aim of this review article is to provide the information of the
existing software applied in solar drying, simulation procedures and
optimization techniques to the researchers. At present there is not a
single available source which provides such type of information to
the researchers and scientists working in solar drying. The selection
of a dryer for a particular crop drying is a main challenge. This
communication introduces a comprehensive review based on the
application of different kinds of analysis and performance evaluation software for different solar drying systems.

2. Simulation methodologies of different solar dryers

Solar dryers are classied broadly into four categories such as
direct, indirect, mixed mode solar dryer and hybrid solar dryer.
Simulation methodologies of these dryers with the help of
different softwares have been discussed as:
2.1. Direct solar dryer
In the direct solar drying systems, crop is exposed to sunlight
directly such that it can be dehydrating. With this type of drying
system a black painted heat absorbing surface is provided that can
collect the sunlight and converts it into heat; the crop to be dried
is placed directly on this surface. These dryers may have glass lid
covers and vents to in order to increase efciency [8]. The cabinet
solar dryer is a kind of direct solar dryer which is shown in Fig. 1.
2.1.1. CFD simulation
Mathioulakis et al. constructed an industrial batch-type, tray
dryer for the drying of fruits. CFD FLUENT software was used to
simulate the air movement inside the drying chamber. Three
boundary conditions were assumed for simulation. In the rst
condition, xed-mass-inow boundary condition was assumed
at the inlet (25 m s  1 velocity and 4.0% turbulence intensity). In
the second condition, no-resistance boundary condition was
imposed where as mass is allowed to leave the solution domain
at the outlet. In third condition, a wall shear stress condition was
assumed on surfaces bounding domain. The variation in the
dryness in several trays was observed. The non-uniformity
was also traced to in certain areas of the chamber. In this article
CFD FLUENT software was used to predict the air velocities in
the drying chamber and optimizing the drying condition and

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performance of the unit. The data obtained from the CFD and
drying tests showed good correlation between the air velocity and
the drying rate. Hence CFD FLUENT may be used as a drying
optimization tool [9].
Bartzanas et al. used computational uid dynamics (CFD),
FLUENT v.5.3.18 software to understand the effect of vent arrangement for air ventilation of a tunnel greenhouse dryer. Numerical
investigation was done by using a commercial CFD code for the
effect of ventilation conguration of a tunnel greenhouse through
crop airow and different temperature patterns. The mathematical
model was validated against experimental data. The airow
patterns were recorded by using a three-dimensional sonic anemometer and the greenhouse ventilation rate was derived by using a
tracer gas technique. CFD model was used to study the consequences of four different ventilator congurations of the natural
ventilation system. It was found that the ventilation conguration
affects the ventilation rate of the greenhouse and air temperature
distributions. The observed values for the different congurations
and computed ventilation rates were varied from 10 to 58 air
changes per hour for an outside wind speed of 3 ms  1 and for a
wind direction perpendicular to the openings. The simulations
draw attention to the mean air temperature at the middle of the
tunnels which varied from 28.2 to 29.88 1C for an outside air
temperature of 28 1C. In the crop cover the average air velocity
varied according to the placement of the vents from 0.2 to 0.7 m/s.
In this paper CFD FLUENT software was used to select the exact
location of ventilation holes for proper air movement inside the
dryer [10].
Chen et al. used CFD FLUENT software for optimal design of
solar energy-assisted photocatalytic closed type dryer by means of
numerical experiments [4]. The ow eld of drying chamber was
governed by the Reynolds-averaged equations of continuity and
momentum employed for incompressible and steady ow. The
governing equations with boundary conditions were solved
numerically. A uniform inlet velocity prole was used to set the
velocity at the inlet ow boundary. The turbulence intensity of the
inlet stream was assumed to be 10% and the turbulent length scale
was considered to be equal to the upstream duct diameter. The
computational domain was discretized with structural hexahedral
meshes included around 600,000 cells for ensuring a good
resolution of the mathematical results.
Krawczyk and Badyda applied uent computational uid
dynamics software to develop a mathematical model for sewage
drying process in a forced convection solar greenhouse dryer. The
unsteady condition was considered for thermal and ow processes
inside the solar dryer because of the thermodynamic characteristics of the sludge and drying conditions (solar radiation, temperature and humidity of ventilated air, change over time) [11].
Amjad et al. used ANSYS-FLUENT CFD based ow simulation
software for predicting the air distribution in drying chamber of
batch type dryer for potato slice having a thickness of 4 mm. A
diagonally airow inlet channel along with the length of drying
chamber have been proposed for this dryer. The simulated results
of airow and experimental value were found a good agreement in
terms of coefcient of correlation, i.e. 87.09% for airow distribution [12].

2.1.2. FORTRAN
Mahapatra et al. used FORTRAN to develop a computer simulation program to study various process and performance of a
tunnel-type solar dryer with an integrated collector. The heat
and mass balance equations for the air ow through the drying
space and multi-layer mass transport model of the static layer of
the material under drying were considered in heat ow network
model for this drying system [13].

Mortaza et al. used Compaq Visual FORTRAN programming

language for writing thin-layer drying equations and equilibrium
drying model of deep-bed solar greenhouse drying. Experimental
data of chamomile obtained at different specied loads such as 15,
30, 45, and 60 kg/m2. Equilibrium drying model computed temperature proles, moisture content of the material, humidity ratio
proles and the temperature of drying air. A good agreement was
found between simulated and experimental results of moisture
content for deep-bed solar greenhouse drying of chamomile. The
root normalized mean square error was lower than 9.3% [14].

2.1.3. MATLAB simulation

Chyi et al. developed MATLAB based software TLDRY for thinlayer drying to examine the applicability of the equations in ASAE
S 448. TLDRY software was found to be best and convenient tool
for the Newton and Page model [15]. Seginera and Bux were used
MATLAB to develop a drying rate model for waste water sludge for
greenhouse dryer [16].
Kumar and Tiwari developed a program in MATLAB software to
estimate the temperature of the greenhouse and jaggery, moisture
evaporated of the jaggery and to predict the thermal performance
of the greenhouse on the basis of ambient parameters under natural
convection greenhouse conditions for the drying of jaggery. Proposed thermal model was validated with the experimental observations. The predicted values and experimental observations were
found in good agreement with a coefcient of correlation 0.90 and
0.98 for jaggery temperature and greenhouse air temperature
respectively and 0.96 to 1.00 for the jaggery mass during drying.
It was concluded that the thermal model will be benecial to
design, greenhouse dryer for a given mass of jaggery [5].
Tiwari et al. applied the MATLAB 7.0 software to solve the
mathematical model which developed from energy balance equation for sh drying in greenhouse dryer. The necessary climatic
parameters were the ambient air temperature, solar intensity, and
relative humidity inside the greenhouse dryer for developing the
model. The output of the program was given the hourly average
sh surface temperature and greenhouse room air temperature.
The coefcient of correlation and root mean square of percent
deviation had been used to determine the closeness of the
predicted and experimental values of sh surface temperature
and greenhouse room air temperature. The predicted values were
in good agreement with experimental values. The range of
coefcient of correlation and root mean square percent deviation
were in between 0.940.99 and 2.410% respectively [17].
Prakash and Kumar used MATLAB software to develop an ANFIS
model to envisage the moisture evaporated greenhouse air temperature and the jaggery temperature in a natural convection
greenhouse drying system. This ANFIS model was validated
through the experimental observations for the complete drying
of jaggery. The resulting network structural design is known as
ANFIS. In Fig. 2, x and y was taken as the input vector. The ring
strengths w1 and w2 were obtained from the product of the
membership grades in the prescribed part. E1 and E2 were taken
as the ratio of ring strength to the total of all ring strengths. The
f was output and it was the average weighted of each rule. For
this ANFIS model, the coefcient of correlation was ranged
between 0.999 and 1 and percentage error of root mean square
ranged between 0.7% and 1.0% for jaggery and greenhouse air
temperature. The comparison between ANFIS model and the
thermal model shows, the ANFIS model is better than the thermal
model. They were also used to forecast the thermal performance of
the greenhouse on the basis of ambient parameters. Hence, they
found that the use of the ANFIS model may be the best way for
developing the natural convection greenhouse dryer for a given
mass of jaggery with a thin layer [18].

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Fig. 2. First-order Sugeno fuzzy inference system [18].

Prakash and Kumar applied MATLAB version R 2010a software

for the training and testing of the articial neural network model
(ANN) for prediction of jaggery mass during drying inside the
natural convection greenhouse dryer. They trained the ANN model
from 1 to 40 neurons in the hidden layers and after that, increasing
the size of the network in gradually and it is found that the ANN
model, execute best for 20 neurons because of this condition,
RMSE value was 0.714812 and coefcient of determination (R2)
was 0.999948. During the experimentation, it is observed that
there was a drastic change in the value of RMSE and R2 values
between 10 and 20 neurons. The intention was to nd a most
suitable transfer function in order that ANN model predicts the
experimental data in maximum possible accuracy [19].

2.1.4. SPSS
Hossain and Bala used statistical analysis software SPSS 9.0 in
the solar tunnel dryer drying of hot chili. The color values and
pungency indices of solar, improved sun dried and conventional
sun dried chilies were statistically analyzed using a randomized
block design. The data of color values and pungency indices of red
and green chilies obtained experimentally were examined by
analysis of variance through SPSS 9.0 software. The mean differences of color values and pungency indices were graded by
Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) [20].
Tunde-Akintunde used SPSS (Statistical Package for social
scientists) 11.5.1 software for tting the models, i.e. Newton
model, Henderson and Pabis model, Page's model and Logarithmic
model for the experimental data in their linearized form using
regression technique. The non-linear regression analysis was also
performed by SPSS 11.5.1 software package. The coefcient of
determination (R2) was one of the most important criteria for
selecting the best t equation. Besides to the coefcient of
determination (R2), the goodness of t was determined by different statistical parameters, for example, reduced mean square of
the deviation, and root mean square error (RMSE). For the best t,
the coefcient of determination value should be higher even as
and the root mean square error's values should be lower. After the
analysis it was concluded that for solar drying, the range of R2,
RMSE and 2  10  3 varied 0.92860.9460, 5.0917.494, 0.0774
0.0638 respectively for Henderson and Pabis model. Whereas the
corresponding values for Newton model, Logarithmic model and
Page model were 0.98760.917, 8.72913.01, 0.08360.1010;
0.94630.9313, 9.02512.75, 0.09010.1082; 0.98850.9900,
1.3321.109, 0.03220.0294 respectively [21].

Fig. 3. Flow chart of the TRNSYS module wood drying [24].

Fig. 4. Indirect solar dryer [8].

2.1.5. Statistica
Midilli and Kucuk did the mathematical modeling of thin layer
drying of shelled and unshelled pistachio samples in a mix mode
solar dryer under forced and natural convection mode. Statistica

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drying air were computed using equilibrium model. Author found

good agreement between experimental moisture content and
simulation results for deep-bed solar greenhouse drying of chamomile with root mean square error which was lower than 9.3%.
The ndings of this exercise conrmed that TRNSYS is a powerful
tool for optimizing of solar dryer operation and design [25].
2.2. Indirect solar dryer
In indirect solar dryers, the black painted heat absorbing
surface heats the ambient air, instead of direct exposure of crop
to solar radiation. This heated air is subsequently passed through
the crop, taking moisture and exit through a chimney [8]. A
diagram of an indirect solar dryer is shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 5. Mixed-mode solar dryer [8].

Computer Program was used for non-linear regression analysis of

eight different mathematical models and found that the logarithmic model, possibly will sufciently describe thin layer forced
solar drying of shelled and unshelled pistachio. The coefcients of
determination and reduced chi square of shelled and unshelled
pistachio were 0.9983, 2.697  105 and 0.9990, 1.639  105 respectively for thin layer forced solar drying [22].

2.1.6. TRNSYS simulation

Reuss et al. applied TRNSYS software for modeling of wood
drying and the behavior of a natural convection chimney in mix
mode dryer. The transient conditions of the drying air were taken
as inputs to the module. Material properties, like moisture transport coefcients and sorption isotherms, modeling could be
adapted to different wood varieties. The output included the
temperatures of the wood, moisture values, the air as well as
drying and heat transfer rates. Fig. 3 shows a ow chart of the
TRNSYS module Wood Drying. The computation of the drying
process was divided into 60 segments. A time step of 15 s was
selected. The segment width followed from the division into 60
segments and the geometry of the staple. The goal of optimizing
the dryer was to constantly reach a high output of high quality
dried wood. Modeling makes simple and fast simulation as a
replacement for of difcult and time-consuming experiments [23].
Awadalla et al. applied TRNSYS program in solar wood dryer at
Wood Research Institute of Munich, Germany. TRNSYS is a widely
used as scientic simulation tool in solar energy applications. The
wood drying process was investigated theoretically under transient conditions. The nite element method was also used to solve
the set of governing equations. For validation of the present model,
the wood model was executed by the TRNSYS program with
experimental data of wood drying. There was deviation in theoretical and experimental results of wood average moisture content
ranges from  12% to 14% and the deviation of wood average
temperature ranges from  0.5% to 3%. The results of steady
state and transient conditions were in good agreement with
experimental and theoretical works and simulation model veried
that it can be an effective tool for the design of a solar timber dryer
and the prediction of moisture content behavior [24].
Mortaza et al. used TRNSYS software for effective and innovative modeling and simulation of deep-bed solar greenhouse dryer
for biomaterials. The moisture content and temperature proles of
the material and the temperature and humidity ratio proles of

2.2.1. CFD simulation

Romero et al. designed and fabricated an indirect solar dryer of
50 kg drying capacity for vanilla drying at Universidad del Caribe
in Cancun, Mexico. They used FLUENT ANSYS software for simulation and validation. The temperature distribution analysis for solar
dryer was done through CFD where input taken as inlet and outlet
temperature of the cabinet and inlet temperature of solar collector.
Three dimensional, transient and laminar ow was considered for
CFD simulation. Temperature, pressure and speed of working uid
are necessary parameters to solve the various governing conservation equations. The following steps were applied to solve the
physical phenomena using ANSYS-FLUENT code:
Step-1 Design the geometry and discretization of the control
volume using ANSYS design modeler program.
Step-2 Give the specication of construction material properties and boundary conditions for each system element.
Step-3 Solution of the equations in each element of the mesh
for specied each time interval.
Step-4 Graphical representation of the results.
A superior degree of harmony was found between CFD simulation and measured parameters for solar collector, whereas in case
of cabinet a little variation was found between measured and
estimated temperatures. This variation was found because of
consideration of constant convection heat transfer coefcient in
the ambient. It was concluded that it is necessary to dene a
variable convection heat transfer coefcient as a function of the
time along the day for predicting thermal parameter. Finally,
approximately 62% (initial and nal weight of vanilla were
1267.5 and 491.2 g, respectively) weight reduction of the vanilla
was found in one month during the cabinet drying instead of three
months in case of conventional drying [26].
2.2.2. Comsol multiphysics simulation
Vintila et al. applied Comsol Multiphysics CFD software for
numerical simulation in an indirect solar dryer. In this experiment
the numerical simulation was done with Comsol Multiphysics CFD
commercial code by a reduced 2D domain model via neglecting
end effects from the side walls. The physics settings of COMSOL
consist of two elements i.e. sub-domain settings and boundary
conditions. In the sub-domain settings, types of materials, modes
of heat transfer (conduction and/or convection) and initial conditions can be considered whereas in the boundary conditions
settings, geometry of boundaries can be considered. The simulation was executed at noon clear sky sunny day and solar irradiation was assumed 300 W/m2. Walls of the drying cabinet and back
side of the collector were considered as adiabatic (thermal
insulated). After the analysis of the coupled thermal-uid model,
different results obtained, such as velocity eld, temperature

P. Singh Chauhan et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 51 (2015) 13261337

1331

drying operation [8]. A diagram of a mixed-mode solar dryer is

shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 6. Hybrid solar dryer [40].

distribution and pressure distribution in the solar collector as well

as in drying chamber with different damper opening conditions
such as fully closed, half open and fully open and for different
operational conditions. The predicted results were compared with
measurements and found to be best agreement [27].

2.2.3. MATLAB simulation

Jain and Jain used MATLAB 5.3 to solve the transient analytical
model for inclined multi-pass solar air heater integrated with
thermal storage and attached to the deep-bed dryer. The experiments were conducted in the month of October in Delhi (India)
climatic condition. Various parameters such as length and breadth
of collector, mass ow rate and change in the tilt angle had been
considered for analysis. The prepared computer program was
applied to solve the energy balance equations of solar air heater.
It was also applied to observe the temperatures of the absorber
plate, storage material air (in different streams) and moisture
content of the crop. The MATLAB 5.3 based proposed model was
very useful for evaluation of thermal performance of at plate
solar air heater for the grain drying applications [28].
Dissa et al. used MATLAB version 7.0.1 software for simulation
of thin layer inside indirect solar drying of mango slices. MATLAB
version 7.0.1 has been used for estimation of drying rate at regular
interval of time by derivation of the moisture content dry basis
with respect to time using a derivation program. The experiment
was done for three consecutive days during harvest period of
mangoes. It was observed that in the rst day there was a very less
constant drying rate period and in the second day it become
negligible. The drying rate reaches maximum of 0.18 g kg  1 s  1 on
the rst day, 0.13 g kg  1 s  1 on the second day and
0.04 g kg  1 s  1 on the third day. The ttings were carried out
using a nonlinear regression tool of software MATLAB (version
7.0.1) based on the nonlinear optimization method of Levenberg
Marquardt with standard error 0.007249 and correlation coefcient 0.9979 [29].

2.3. Mixed mode solar dryer

Mixed-mode solar dryer, is a combination of direct and indirect
solar dryer. This works under the combined action of the solar
radiation incident on the material to be dried and the air
preheated in solar collector provides the heat needed for the

2.3.1. FORTRAN
Simate used FORTRAN to develop a mathematical model for
mixed mode natural convection solar drying of maize grain
constructed at Newcastle University, U.K. The experiments were
carried out under a solar simulator. A good agreement between
theoretical and experimental results was examined [30].
Bennamoun and Belhamri developed FORTRAN programs to
solve partial differential equations for energy balance in between
air at collector and the drying chamber for solar dryer. The
GaussSeidel iteration method was applied to resolve these sets of
equations which were written in matrix form. With and without
the heater were considered for study. Results showed that solar
batch dryer with 3 m2 effective collector surface area can dry
250 kg of onion akes per day at 50 1C temperature [31].
Hawlader et al. developed a simulation program using the
FORTRAN language to analyze the performance of the solarassisted heat-pump dryer and water heating systems under the
meteorological conditions of Singapore. The coefcient of performance (with and without water heater) and solar fraction were
considered for the performance evaluation of the system. By the
simulation and experimental results the values of coefcient of
performance were obtained 7.0, and 5.0, respectively, whereas the
solar fraction values of 0.65 and 0.61 respectively [32].
2.3.2. MATLAB simulation
Jain used the MATLAB 6.1 software to solve the energy balance
equations for onion drying in the reversed absorber with packed
bed thermal storage natural convection solar crop dryer. Computer
program was prepared to solve the energy balance equations for
different components of solar drying systems and to predict the
temperatures of the air in different streams packed bed, drying
chamber, temperature of different absorber plates, storage material and crop in tray-I and tray-II. Author concluded that the
proposed mathematical model is very useful for performance
evaluation of the reversed absorber type collector and thermal
storage with natural convection solar crop dryer [33].
Tiwari et al. designed and developed a PV/T mixed mode dryer.
MATLAB software was used to develop an analytical expression of
characteristic equation for PV/T mixed mode dryer and the result
was validated with experimental observations [34].
Tripathy and Kumar applied articial neural network (ANN) for
prediction of temperature of potato (slice and cylindrical shape)
during solar drying in a natural convection mixed-mode solar
dryer. The input parameters such as solar radiation and ambient
temperature were considered for ANN modeling. Researchers
concluded that logsig transfer function with a trainrp back
propagation algorithm and the neural network with 4 neurons is
the most suitable ANN conguration for prediction capability of
transient food temperature and food geometries. The standard
error and correlation coefcient for ANN model were 0.208 and
0.952 respectively where as for statistical model it was 0.381and
0.846 respectively for cylinder. For the slice, standard error and
correlation coefcient for ANN model were 0.130 and 0.980
respectively and for statistical model were 0.210 and 0.949
respectively. The developed tool is useful for food process engineers and designers of solar drying system for estimation and
optimal control of the solar drying process without doing comprehensive experimentation [35].
Cakmak and Yildiz developed Feed Forward Neural Networks
(FNNs) model for the nonlinear behavior of the drying of seedy
grapes in a novel mixed mode dryer. The drying rate was
estimated with the help of an exponential equation by using

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P. Singh Chauhan et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 51 (2015) 13261337

Fig. 7. Velocity distributions for natural convection [41].

Fig. 8. Temperature distributions for natural convection [41].

P. Singh Chauhan et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 51 (2015) 13261337

1333

Fig. 9. Velocity distributions for forced convection [41].

nonlinear regression analysis and further the drying rate of seedy

grapes was also estimated by using FNN. Nonlinear and linear
regression models were compared with the FNN model and found
more accurate in estimating the drying rate. For FNN, the root
mean square error and correlation coefcient were found 0.0019
and 0.9991 [36].
2.3.3. Sigma plot V
Tripathy applied SIGMAPLOT (version 11.0.0.77) for the regression
analysis of potato drying in natural convection mixed-mode solar
dryer. In order to explain the drying performance of potato samples,
eight thin layers drying models were tested and compared statistically.
The drying data were converted into dimensionless moisture ratio and
eight thin layer drying models were tted to the experimental data.
For all the tested models, values of coefcient of determination were
lying in the range of 0.93270.9956. Though, among all the drying
tested models, the Modied Page model attained the highest values of
coefcient of determination and lowest values of root mean square
error and reduced chi square. The values of coefcient of determination, root mean square error and reduced chi square obtained for the
Modied Page model were 0.9956, 0.01914 and 0.0003929 respectively for potato cylinders and 0.9907, 0.02705 and 0.000765 respectively for slices. It was concluded that Modied Page model is the
most suited to explain the drying kinetics of potato slices and
cylinders [6].
2.4. Hybrid solar dryer
In solar hybrid dryers, other sources of energy can be used
along with solar energy to continue the favorable drying conditions (Fig. 6). Hence the drying process is not dependable on solar
radiation. Blower is used for proper air movement in hybrid solar

dryer which can be powered by solar photovoltaic system Hybrid

solar dyer can control drying of any agricultural produce by
efcient way and also helps to maintain product qualities [8].

2.4.1. CFD simulation

Andrew et al. used computational uid dynamic (CFD) software
to understand the heat and mass transfer inside the dryer under
natural and forced convection mode. The commercially available
computational uid dynamics (CFD) software, STAR-CD was executed for modeling of temperature and velocity distributions
inside the dryer. On the basis of simulated temperature proles,
it was concluded that heat and mass transfer by natural convection is more suitable for drying pepper berries.
In the modeling of natural convection mode drying, distribution of heat energy in the drying chamber was examine with the
help of CFD, which was most inuensive parameter in pepper
berries drying. Fig. 7 illustrates the velocity distributions for
natural convection phenomenon. The maximum air velocity was
found, 0.2338 m/s near the chimney outlet. It was due pressure
differential and software gives the more accurate simulation
results. Fig. 8 demonstrated the distribution of temperature inside
the solar dryer by means of contour-plot at the middle section. The
highest temperature region i.e. 366.6 K was found in the center of
the chimney and lowest at the inlet of collector (291.2 K) where as
temperature inside chamber is varies from 340.9 to 352 K. it gives
the complete picture of temperature prole which is highly
desirable in the selection of crop to be dried inside solar dryer.
Figs. 9 and 10 show the air movement and temperature
variation from the inlet of the solar collector to the drying
chamber under forced convection mode. The highest and minimum temperature was found 311.5 K and 298.3 K respectively. In
the forced convection modeling the heated air was forced at 0.1 m/

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P. Singh Chauhan et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 51 (2015) 13261337

Fig. 10. Temperature distribution for forced convection [41].

s from the solar collector to the drying chamber and the heat
accumulated in the drying chamber ranges between 303 K and
311.5 K. The heat distribution in the drying chamber was more
homogeneous in the natural convection model [38].

2.4.2. FORTRAN
Janjai et al. used Compaq Visual FORTRAN version 6.5 for
simulation and modeling to solve the partial differential equations
which were describing the heat and moisture transfer of peeled
longan in PV-ventilated solar tunnel dryer. The simulated results
were found good agreement with the experimental data. The
predictions model for drying were evaluated on the basis of root
mean square difference, even though, there were found small
discrepancies between the predicted and measured moisture
contents. Root mean square difference of the moisture and
temperature prediction was 6% and 3% respectively [39].

2.4.3. MATLAB simulation

Barnwal and Tiwari used MATLAB 7.0 software to calculate the
rate of heat utilized for moisture evaporation, hourly convective
mass transfer coefcient and moisture evaporated. A hybrid
photovoltaicthermal (PV/T) greenhouse dryer was designed and
constructed with maximum carrying capacity of 100 kg. Two
different types (Grade I and Grade II) of Thompson seedless grapes
were used for drying. A DC fan was also used to create forced
convection mode. It was found that the coefcient of convective
heat transfer for Grade I and Grade II grapes were lying in between
0.260.31 W/m2 K and 0.451.21 W/m2 K, respectively [40].

2.4.4. SPSS
Chavan et al. used statistical software SPSS for statistical analysis
in Solar-Biomass Hybrid Cabinet Dryer. Coefcient of determination
(R2), reduced chi-square (2), and the percentage of root mean square
error (RMSE) were applied for selecting the best-t equation to
describe the drying process. Statistical analysis was performed by
nonlinear regression using statistical software in all the cases. In this
study, 11 different thin-layer drying models were compared according
to their root mean square error (RMSE), chi-square (2) and coefcient
of determination (R2). The R2 values of solar-biomass hybrid cabinet
dryer were 0.96660, 0.9729, 0.9793, 0.953 and 0.9729 for texture,
taste, appearance, odor and overall acceptability respectively. As per
the result of thin-layer drying of mackerel, all models were showing
good correlation, but, Midilli and two-term drying models were the
best tted and might be used to accurately forecast the moisture
content of dried mackerel. The lowest RMSE, 2 and highest R2 values
were found as a result of Midilli and two-term drying models.
Statistical software SPSS is user friendly software for statistical
analysis [41].
Hossain et al. used statistical software SPSS 9.0 for statistical
analysis of a hybrid solar drying system. A statistical analysis was
done for color values, lycopene, ascorbic acid and total avonoids
of sun-dried, and different pretreated samples with the help of the
analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the software SPSS 9.0. Duncan's multiple range tests was used to compare the mean obtained
from each set of variations. The average air temperature at the
outlet of the collector was found 30 oC higher than the average
ambient temperature where as the collector efciency was
increased by 10% using the solar reector. The efciency of the
solar dryer was varied from 17 to 29% depending on different
operating conditions. It was concluded that the color, ascorbic
acid, lycopene, and total avonoids of tomato was considerably

P. Singh Chauhan et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 51 (2015) 13261337

1335

Table 1
Functions, applications and limitations of different software in solar drying.
S.
Software
no. name

Functions

Applications

Limitations

CFD
FLUENT/
ANSYS

CFD FLUENT is simulation software which

provides the information about the heat transfer
and uid ow behavior inside the solar dryer
[9,11,12].

Learning of software is time consuming and

geometry meshing is also time taking
procedure.

Comsol
It is simulation software and it is providing the
Multiphysics information of the heat transfer prole and uid
ow pattern inside the solar dryer [27].

FORTRAN

This is used for simulation and modeling to solve

the partial differential equations [13,14,32,39].

MATLAB

MATLAB is mathematical modeling software and

it is used for non linear regression analysis
accurately with taking very less time [16,23,
28, 29].

SPSS

SPSS is analytical software for non-linear

regression analysis [20,21,41, 42].

Sigma Plot V Analytical software [6]

Statistica

Exact location of ventilation hole can be easily

predicted. The prediction of exact shape & size
can be done easily and can save money by time
by elimination of repeated manufacturing &
lengthy exercise.
This software can be use to predict the air
movement through inlet to outlet and also exact
location of ventilation hole. It can also be used to
predict the exact shape and dimension of the
dryer.
It can be used for performance analysis of solar
drying systems. It can also save cost by
minimizing material usage. It can optimize
structural performance with thorough analysis
and eliminates expensive & lengthy trial-anderror exercise.
This software is very useful to develop
mathematical models to prediction the crop
temperature, air temperature, the moisture
evaporated. It is also very useful for training and
testing of various models.
SPSS is used for fast and accurate analytical
analysis such as coefcient of determination, root
mean square error, analysis of variance, reduced
chi-square etc.
Simulation validation in terms of various
statistical parameters for greenhouse drying
performance such as moisture evaporation rate,
greenhouse room temperature etc.
Statistica is used for analytical analysis of
coefcient of determination, root mean square
error, analysis of variance etc.
Its great advantage is the replacement of difcult
differential equations by easy numerical
calculations.
The calculation of moisture and heat transfer at
the crop surface to the drying air and of
moisture & heat transport in the inner crop can
be easily described.

TRNSYS

Statistica is also a analytical Software for nonlinear regression analysis of mathematical

models [20,21]
TRNSYS is a universal scientic simulation tool in
solar energy. TRNSYS Software is used to develop
and describe the drying behavior of crops in
different kind of dryers [24,25].

Table 2
List of transfer functions and back propagation training algorithms used in ANN
training [19].
S. no.

Transfer functions

Training algorithm

1
2
3
4

Logsig
Tansig
Poslin
Satlin

Lm
Cfg
Bfg
Br

S. no.

1
2

Measures of error

1
2

Correlation coefcient
Root mean square error

Transfer function

The Fortran program rstly develops in a

prototype software like visual languages such
as Matlab and IDL (Interactive Data Language)
and then port this code to FORTRAN.

MATLAB mathematical modeling requires

excellent programming skills.It takes long time
to develop and test the models.

It is expensive software.

Repetitive analysis is typical in this software.

Skills are necessary for the use of appropriate

software applications in statistical data
processing.
It gives more accurate results with the shorter
time steps and the closer segments lie in every
numerical method.

Table 4
Results of error analysis of the jaggery mass during the process of drying prediction
results of ANN model considering 10 neurons and logsig transfer function for
different training algorithms [19].
S. no.

Table 3
Results of measures of error in food temperature prediction results of the ANN
model considering 10 neurons and trainlm algorithm for different transfer functions [19].

As compared to CFD FLUENT Learning of

software is easy.

Measures of analysis

Correlation coefcient
Root mean square error

Training algorithm
Trainlm

Traincfg

Trainbfg

Trainbr

0.999791
1.446353

0.99934
5.477226

0.999463
2.239475

0.999863
1.144925

3. Case-study of MATLAB software based ANN model used in

solar drying
An ANN modeling is applied for prediction of hourly mass of
jaggery drying during the natural convection greenhouse condition.

Logsig

Tansig

Poslin

Satlin

3.1. ANN model

0.99
1.44

1.00
0.59

1.00
0.76

1.00
1.44

ANN modeling is adopted to approach a healthy and positive

drying. This modeling takes very less time. The rst step is to
prepare the ANN model through the investigation data. After the
preparation of the ANN model, the most favorable ANN conguration was determined and at the last, the ANN model was
validated with experimental data, which was not used during
training of ANN model. The objective of this modeling is to
develop the best ANN model for the prediction of moisture

reduced during the drying process, however the losses of color and
nutritional components were higher than the commercially available samples in the European market [42].
Functions, applications and limitations of different software in
solar drying are summarized in Table 1.

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P. Singh Chauhan et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 51 (2015) 13261337

content during the jaggery drying in the natural convection

greenhouse condition. The feed-forward back-propagation network structure was found the best possible method under the
natural convection greenhouse condition. Equal numbers of neurons were used for input and output layers. MATLAB version
R2010a software was used for the training as well as testing of
the neural model [19].
3.2. Development of ANN model
The development of the ANN model for jaggery drying was
derived from trial and error approach in an iterative method. The
performance of the ANN construction had found minimum statistical error between the experimental data and predicted data of
hourly jaggery mass. To justify the performance of developed ANN
model, the root mean square error and correlation coefcient were
considered. An efcient ANN model has to show highest correlation coefcient and small root mean square error values. Transfer
functions, training algorithms and the total numbers of neurons in
the hidden layers were considered in the network architecture,
conguration.
3.3. Result
The input parameters were global solar radiation, diffuse
insolation, ambient relative humidity and ambient temperature.
The experiments were performed from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and
all the parameters of the model were trained for the four days
drying data. Every day, eight sets of experimental data were
collected. Two sets of data were used to authenticate the model.
In the Table 2 the inuence of varying neurons in the ANN model
architecture for the jaggery mass drying has shown.
They trained the ANN model from 1 to 40 neurons in the
hidden layers and after that, increase the size of the network
gradually.
The ANN model was executed the best for 20 neurons because
of RMSE value was 0.714812 and coefcient of determination (R2)
was 0.999948. It was also observed that there is a drastic change in
the value of RMSE and R2 values between 10 and 20 neurons. The
intention was to found a most suitable transfer function in order to
that ANN model can predict the experimental data with maximum
accuracy. To improve the ANN architecture, the sensitivity study
with 10 neurons were also performed in association with trainlm
(LevenbergMarquardt back propagation) algorithm in subsequent
transfer functions: hyperbolic tangent sigmoid transfer function
(tansig), logarithmic sigmoid transfer function (logsig), saturating
linear transfer function (satlin) and positive linear transfer function (poslin). The results have been presented in Table 3.
The investigation of the effect of various training algorithms was
required to obtain the best ANN model, such as FletcherPowell
conjugate gradient back-propagation (traincfg), LevenbergMarquardt back-propagation (trainlm), Bayesian regularization (trainbr)
and Broyden, Fletcher, Goldfarb, and Shanno quasi-Newton back
propagation (trainbfg). The result has shown in Table 4.

4. Conclusions
It can be concluded that researchers and scientist have been
used various software in solar drying applications especially in
optimization of design parameters of solar dyers. Software are very
supportive in simulation of different types of solar drying systems
before fabrication. These software based analysis is not only save
time but also save the capital investment in solar drying systems.
CFD (ANSYS, FLUENT), Comsol Multiphysics, MATLAB and
TRNSYS Simulation software are commonly applied for thermal

performance analysis. Partial differential equations based on

energy balance for different component solar drying system,
regression analysis and tting the drying kinetics data Sigma Plot
V, SPSS and Statistica are widely used.
Software simulation gives clear cut picture in terms air ow
and temperature inside the drying chamber as well as in whole
drying unit. The software application are helpful in deciding crop
to be dried in existing solar drying system on the other hand it can
help to design a new solar drying system for particular product.
Simulation models are proposed by the academician/researcher to
provide the design data for the selection of the optimal dryer
would be helpful in further developments in this area.

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