Solar, Biomass and Hybrid Dryers - BioEnergy Discussion Lists

Solar CollectorThe flat plate air-heating solar collector, of size 1.6m x 2m, consists of an absorber,glazing, an outer box, an inner box. A 50 mm glasswool insulation is placed betweenthe two boxes. Corrugated aluminum sheet is used as the absorber plate, while theouter and inner collector boxes are made of GI sheets. A black coating is provided onthe absorber surface. The cover glazing is of four nos. of 4 mm thick window glass.The absorber and insulation materials are placed inside the inner GI box. The airinlet to the collector is fitted with a fine stainless steel wire mesh to keep insects out.Table 5.2: Construction materials used for the solar collectorSl. No. Material Dimension Quantity Unit1. Wood 110 X 40 X 2064 mm 3 Nos.48 X 40 X 770 mm 2 Nos.53 X 50 X 1600 mm 1 Nos.35 X 40 X 770 mm 2 Nos.25 X 50 X 1600 mm 2 Nos.25 X 25 X 770 mm 2 Nos.2. GI Sheet (26 SWG) 820 X 2000 mm 2 Nos.780 X 2029 mm 2 Nos.3. Aluminium Sheet (0.8 mm) 780 X 2044 mm 2 Nos.Aluminium Sheet (1.2 mm) 55 X 800 mm 2 Nos.70 X 800 mm 2 Nos.50 X 1000 mm 2 Nos.50 X 1064 mm 2 Nos.40 X 1000 mm 2 Nos.40 X 1074 mm 1 Nos.40 X 800 mm 1 Nos.4. Glass wool (50 mm thick) 800 X 2000 mm 2 Nos.5. U Tube Washer ¾” 14 meters6. Glass (4 mm) 1000 X 750 mm 4 Nos.7. Screws Various sizes 100 NosThe collector faces south at an angle of 30° to the horizontal. Table 5.2 presents thelist of materials used in the construction of the solar collector.Drying ChamberThe drying chamber is a rectangular box, of 0.6m x 0.6m cross section and 1.6mheight. The chamber is made of mild steel frame, and covered on all sides with twolayers of GI sheet. A 25mm slab of glass wool is provided for thermal insulation.29