Experimentation of the Solar Dryer with Parabolic Trough : Drying of Okra

Abstract

According to Arthur S. EDDINGTON (1921): "I can prove nothing to you whether you do not let me make any measurements. Measurement is for me the only way to find the laws of nature. I am not a metaphysician". In order to confirm the performances of the indirect solar dryer, with cylindrical-parabolic collector, the performances noted by the numerical results and validated by the value of the Square Root of the Mean Systematic Error, RMSE, equal to 4.5°C, between the numerical and experimental temperatures of the heat transfer fluid, at the entrance of the drying cage, experimental tests of the said dryer were carried out, via the drying of the variety, Clemson spineless, of okra. The diffusion coefficient of dried okra pieces gave satisfactory results, (16.49-22.72) ×10-10m 2.s-1for cylindrical samples and (6.24-15.59) ×10-10m2.s-1for longitudinal slices. These findings are consistent with the literature.