Approach for Boosting the Drying Chamber's Temperature by Pulse Copper Pipes to Conduct Heat

This research addresses a critical challenge in solar food drying: maintaining effective drying performance during low solar radiation intensity periods. We present an innovative hybrid drying system that combines thermal energy from direct solar radiation with supplementary heat provided by hot water circulating through strategically positioned copper pipes. The pulse copper pipe configuration conducts additional heat within the drying chamber, significantly enhancing thermal performance when outdoor temperatures drop or sunlight is limited. Experimental results demonstrate that this hybrid approach increases the temperature inside the drying chamber and extends drying periods by at least 10 minutes under low heat radiation conditions. Most notably, the combination of air drying with infrared radiation and hot water circulation yielded a 4.25% improvement in thermal efficiency compared to conventional methods. This approach represents a promising advancement in sustainable food preservation technology, particularly for regions with variable weather conditions.