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Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Floor Types and Size Variation on the Performance of Solar Dryer

Received: 19 September 2025     Accepted: 4 October 2025     Published: 12 November 2025
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Abstract

This research paper present the comparative analysis of four solar dryers with different size and floor types. The solar dryers were used to perform an experiment, the following parameters were read and record for the period of the experiment: temperature, relative humidity and energy. The results of the solar dryers shows that black ceramic floor has higher efficiency compared to white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The hourly variation of temperature inside the dryers was much higher with black ceramic floor compared to white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The solar dryers was observed to have higher energy in black ceramic floor compared to the white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The relative humidity inside the dryer was relatively low in the black floor dryer compared to that of the white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The results of the experiment also shows the effect of size on the solar dryers, when exposed to sunshine it was observed that, the B6 solar dryer gives the highest performance, and the highest temperature recorded inside the dryer was 70°C. At this temperature, the performance efficiency of the B6 dryer was 67%. For B4 solar dryer the highest temperature was 65°C with efficiency of 59% and B3 solar dryer has a temperature of 62°C and an efficiency of 51%. It was also observed that B2 solar dryer which is the smallest among them has a temperature of 58°C and an efficiency of 41.5%.

Published in International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijmea.20251306.11
Page(s) 170-178
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Solar Dryer, Temperature, Efficiency

References
[1] Akinbami, J. (2001). Renewable energy resources and Technology in Nigeria: Present situations, Future Prospects and Policy Framework, Mitigation and Adaptation strategies for Global Change. 6(1), 155-181.
[2] Bassey, M. W. (1989). Development and use of Solar Drying Technology in Nigeria. Journal of Solar Energy. 89(1), 133-164.
[3] Bamigboye, D. K., Aro, T. O., Akoshile, C. O. (1998). Principles, Measurement and application of solar and Atmospheric Radiation.
[4] Basu, S., Antia, H. M. (2008). Helioseismology and solar abundances. Physics report. 457(5), 200-217.
[5] Diamante, L. M. and Munro P. A. (2004). Mathematical Modeling I of Thin Layer Solar Drying of Sweet Potatoes: Solar Energy, Vol, 51 pp 176-271.
[6] Diamante, L. M. and Munro, P. A. (2004). Mathematical Modeling II of Thin Layer Solar Drying of Sweet Potatoes: Solar Energy, Vol, 51 pp 176-271.
[7] Ekechuku, O. V. (1999). Review of Solar-energy Drying Systems I: an overview of Drying Principles and Theory. Energy Conversion Management 40: 593-613.
[8] Eze, C. L. (2004). Alternate Energy Resources. Macmillian Nigeria Publisher Limited, First Edition. Pp. 159-177.
[9] Garba, M. M, Atiku, A. T, and Sambo, A. S. (1990). Comparative Studies of Some Passive Solar Dryers, In Sayigh A. A. M (Ed.) Proceedings of 1st World Renewable Congress vol. 2, pp. 927- 931. 256.
[10] Hallak, H., Hilal, J., and Rahhal, R. (1996). The Staircase Solar Dryer: Design and Characteristics. Renewable Energy, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 177-183.
[11] Yusuf. S. O. (2024). Development of Solar Clothe Dryer Using Material and System Optimization Strategies in Solar energy Applications. Ph. D. Thesis. University of Ilorin.
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  • APA Style

    Yusuf, S. O., Ajibola, T. B. (2025). Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Floor Types and Size Variation on the Performance of Solar Dryer. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications, 13(6), 170-178. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20251306.11

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    ACS Style

    Yusuf, S. O.; Ajibola, T. B. Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Floor Types and Size Variation on the Performance of Solar Dryer. Int. J. Mech. Eng. Appl. 2025, 13(6), 170-178. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20251306.11

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    AMA Style

    Yusuf SO, Ajibola TB. Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Floor Types and Size Variation on the Performance of Solar Dryer. Int J Mech Eng Appl. 2025;13(6):170-178. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20251306.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijmea.20251306.11,
      author = {Serah Omolola Yusuf and Taiye Benjamin Ajibola},
      title = {Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Floor Types and Size Variation on the Performance of Solar Dryer
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {170-178},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijmea.20251306.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20251306.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmea.20251306.11},
      abstract = {This research paper present the comparative analysis of four solar dryers with different size and floor types. The solar dryers were used to perform an experiment, the following parameters were read and record for the period of the experiment: temperature, relative humidity and energy. The results of the solar dryers shows that black ceramic floor has higher efficiency compared to white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The hourly variation of temperature inside the dryers was much higher with black ceramic floor compared to white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The solar dryers was observed to have higher energy in black ceramic floor compared to the white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The relative humidity inside the dryer was relatively low in the black floor dryer compared to that of the white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The results of the experiment also shows the effect of size on the solar dryers, when exposed to sunshine it was observed that, the B6 solar dryer gives the highest performance, and the highest temperature recorded inside the dryer was 70°C. At this temperature, the performance efficiency of the B6 dryer was 67%. For B4 solar dryer the highest temperature was 65°C with efficiency of 59% and B3 solar dryer has a temperature of 62°C and an efficiency of 51%. It was also observed that B2 solar dryer which is the smallest among them has a temperature of 58°C and an efficiency of 41.5%.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Floor Types and Size Variation on the Performance of Solar Dryer
    
    AU  - Serah Omolola Yusuf
    AU  - Taiye Benjamin Ajibola
    Y1  - 2025/11/12
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmea.20251306.11
    T2  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
    JF  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
    JO  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
    SP  - 170
    EP  - 178
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-0248
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20251306.11
    AB  - This research paper present the comparative analysis of four solar dryers with different size and floor types. The solar dryers were used to perform an experiment, the following parameters were read and record for the period of the experiment: temperature, relative humidity and energy. The results of the solar dryers shows that black ceramic floor has higher efficiency compared to white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The hourly variation of temperature inside the dryers was much higher with black ceramic floor compared to white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The solar dryers was observed to have higher energy in black ceramic floor compared to the white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The relative humidity inside the dryer was relatively low in the black floor dryer compared to that of the white ceramic floor and sandy floor. The results of the experiment also shows the effect of size on the solar dryers, when exposed to sunshine it was observed that, the B6 solar dryer gives the highest performance, and the highest temperature recorded inside the dryer was 70°C. At this temperature, the performance efficiency of the B6 dryer was 67%. For B4 solar dryer the highest temperature was 65°C with efficiency of 59% and B3 solar dryer has a temperature of 62°C and an efficiency of 51%. It was also observed that B2 solar dryer which is the smallest among them has a temperature of 58°C and an efficiency of 41.5%.
    
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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