Thermo-economic Analysis of Red Pepper Drying in a Small Scale Greenhouse Type Dryer

In this study, a small scale greenhouse type dryer was designed and manufactured. Polycarbonate cover was used as covering material. Heating and distribution of air was provided by using a moving copper finned surface. The system electricity energy requirement was provided by photovoltaic (PV) unit. The efficiency of system was examined experimentally by drying red peppers. Red peppers were dried from 11.5 g water/g dry matter initial moisture content to final moisture content at the different air temperatures. Drying air velocity was measured average 0.34 m/s. The payback time of system was calculated as 4.5 years when using 120 days in one year. The drying efficiency of forced convection greenhouse type dryer was calculated between the 23% and 27% according to experimental results. This system, when sufficient of solar energy considered can be used as dryer, also it can be used as greenhouse in winter.