Performance comparison of a fixed-bed solar grain dryer with and without latent heat storage

Latent heat storage has gained attention as an energy storage method for solar drying due to its high storage density. However, its overall impact in drying performance has not been sufficiently investigated. This study presents detailed, validated mathematical models necessary for the transient simulation of a solar dryer with latent heat storage with the aim of assessing the effect that such storage has on the deep bed drying of wheat. Computer simulations were run with weather data from Germany. A fixed bed dryer with a capacity of one ton was assumed and the size of the solar air heater and latent heat storage unit was varied, as well as the type of phase change material. In drying wheat without storage from 22 % to 13 % w.b. (0.28 to 0.15 kg kg−1 d.b.), increasing solar collecting area from 6 to 15 m2 reduced drying time by around 50 % but resulted in excessive temperatures. At equal collecting area, the use of latent heat storage changed drying time by −5% to + 13.9 % depending on component sizes, but the drying air temperature was limited effectively if solar collection and storage units are properly sized in relation to each other. Failure to do so can result in higher drying temperatures than recommended or bring little additional benefit. Moisture uniformity at the end of drying was slightly improved by up to 10 % in the presence of the storage unit due to a reduction in the average drying temperature. The presented models and corresponding simulation programs are a useful tool to size the components of a solar dryer with and without latent heat storage.