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Experimental performance of an indirect solar dryer with hot air recycling for mango drying.

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Title: Experimental performance of an indirect solar dryer with hot air recycling for mango drying.
Authors: Mbaye, Bou Counta1,2 (AUTHOR) boucounta.mbaye@ucad.edu.sn, Bideau, Pascal Le3 (AUTHOR), Coly, Mamadou Lamine1 (AUTHOR), Thiam, Omar Ngor1 (AUTHOR), Magueresse, Anthony3 (AUTHOR), Sambou, Vincent2 (AUTHOR), Sow, Mamadou Lamine1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Solar Energy. Aug2026, Vol. 314, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Solar food drying, Drying apparatus, Food dehydration, Energy consumption
Abstract: • Experimental and modelled study of indirect solar drying of mango slices. • Forced convection dryer with hot air recycling improves heat and mass transfer. • Effective diffusivity ranges from 3.54 × 10−11 to 1.22 × 10−10 m2·s−1. • Midilli and Kucuk model best fits the drying kinetics (R2 ≈ 0.996). • Improved energy efficiency and product quality over open-air drying. This study investigates the experimental performance and modelling of indirect solar drying of mango slices using a forced convection solar dryer equipped with a hot air recycling system. The results reveal a strong coupling between solar irradiance, drying air temperature, and moisture removal kinetics. Under a maximum solar irradiance of 1000–1010 W·m−2, the air temperature inside the drying chamber reached 56–58 °C, creating a favourable thermal gradient of 5–7 °C and sustaining an efficient evaporation rate. Effective moisture diffusivity ranged from 3.54 × 10−11 to 1.22 × 10−10 m−2 s−1, consistent with values reported for tropical food products. Activation of the hot air recycling system ensured uniform thermal and hygrometric conditions within the drying chamber, improving both energy efficiency and product quality. Among the evaluated thin-layer drying models, the Midilli and Kucuk model provided the best fit to experimental data (R2 ≈ 0.996; χ2 ≈ 3.3 × 10-4), confirming its suitability for describing the solar drying kinetics of tropical fruits. The final dried product exhibited a homogeneous texture, minimal shrinkage, and excellent colour retention, highlighting the advantages of indirect solar drying over conventional open-air methods. A joint analysis of thermal efficiency, heat transfer (hc, hm) and exergetic efficiency confirms that air recirculation optimises the process. Indeed, this approach improves thermal and airflow uniformity, stabilises heat transfer and provides a better understanding of heat-mass-energy interactions. As such, it enables more effective control of solar drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:• Experimental and modelled study of indirect solar drying of mango slices. • Forced convection dryer with hot air recycling improves heat and mass transfer. • Effective diffusivity ranges from 3.54 × 10−11 to 1.22 × 10−10 m2·s−1. • Midilli and Kucuk model best fits the drying kinetics (R2 ≈ 0.996). • Improved energy efficiency and product quality over open-air drying. This study investigates the experimental performance and modelling of indirect solar drying of mango slices using a forced convection solar dryer equipped with a hot air recycling system. The results reveal a strong coupling between solar irradiance, drying air temperature, and moisture removal kinetics. Under a maximum solar irradiance of 1000–1010 W·m−2, the air temperature inside the drying chamber reached 56–58 °C, creating a favourable thermal gradient of 5–7 °C and sustaining an efficient evaporation rate. Effective moisture diffusivity ranged from 3.54 × 10−11 to 1.22 × 10−10 m−2 s−1, consistent with values reported for tropical food products. Activation of the hot air recycling system ensured uniform thermal and hygrometric conditions within the drying chamber, improving both energy efficiency and product quality. Among the evaluated thin-layer drying models, the Midilli and Kucuk model provided the best fit to experimental data (R2 ≈ 0.996; χ2 ≈ 3.3 × 10-4), confirming its suitability for describing the solar drying kinetics of tropical fruits. The final dried product exhibited a homogeneous texture, minimal shrinkage, and excellent colour retention, highlighting the advantages of indirect solar drying over conventional open-air methods. A joint analysis of thermal efficiency, heat transfer (hc, hm) and exergetic efficiency confirms that air recirculation optimises the process. Indeed, this approach improves thermal and airflow uniformity, stabilises heat transfer and provides a better understanding of heat-mass-energy interactions. As such, it enables more effective control of solar drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:0038092X
DOI:10.1016/j.solener.2026.114694