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2.
Front Bioeng Biotechnol ; 12: 1355133, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38558793

ABSTRACT

Harnessing solar energy is one of the most important practical insights highlighted to mitigate the severe climate change (CC) phenomenon. Therefore, this study aims to focus on the use of hybrid solar dryers (HSDs) within an environmentally friendly framework, which is one of the promising applications of solar thermal technology to replace traditional thermal technology that contributes to increasing the severity of the CC phenomenon. The HSD, based on a traditional electrical energy source (HSTEE) and electrical energy from photovoltaic panels (HSPVSE), was evaluated compared to a traditional electrical (TE) dryer for drying some medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). This is done by evaluating some of the drying outputs, energy consumed, carbon footprint, and financial return at 30, 40, and 50°C. The best quality of dried MAP samples in terms of essential oil (EO, %) and microbial load was achieved at 40°C. The HSTEE dryer has reduced energy consumption compared to the TE dryer by a percentage ranging from 37% to 54%. The highest CO2 mitigated ratio using the HSTEE dryer was recorded in thyme, marjoram, and lemongrass samples, with values ranging from 45% to 54% at 30, 40, and 50°C. The highest financial return obtained from energy consumption reduction and carbon credit footprint was achieved at 50°C, with values ranging from 5,313.69 to 6,763.03 EGP/year (EGP ≈ 0.0352 USD) when coal was used as a fuel source for the generation of electricity. Moreover, the HSPVSE dryer achieved a 100% reduction in traditional energy consumption and then reduced CO2 emissions by 100%, which led to a 100% financial return from both energy reduction and carbon credit. The highest financial returns were observed at 50°C, with values ranging from 13,872.56 to 15,007.02, 12,927.28 to 13,984.43, and 11,981.99 to 12,961.85 EGP/year (EGP ≈ 0.0352 USD) for coal, oil, and natural gas, respectively. The HS dryers show potential for environmental conservation contribution; furthermore, earning money from energy savings and carbon credit could help improve the living standards and maximize benefits for stakeholders.

3.
J Food Sci ; 88(9): 3859-3878, 2023 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37530625

ABSTRACT

A hybrid smart solar dryer (HSSD) based on indirect forced convection and a controlled auxiliary heating system was developed, fabricated, and tested to be convenient for sunny and cloudy weather conditions. The achievements of the developed dryer focus on controlling the temperature of the dryer, increasing the drying rate, reducing energy consumption, and providing high-quality products. The HSSD was tested and evaluated for drying basil and sage herbs at 30, 40, and 50°C. The results showed that the fresh basil and sage leaves of 1 kg with a moisture content of 84.7% and 75.53% (wet basis) were dried within 58, 46, 32 and 38, 28, and 20 h at 30, 40, and 50°C, respectively. Correspondingly, the traditional drying methods achieved 96 h outdoors and 144 h indoors at room temperature. The average of the fabricated flat-plate solar collector efficiency (thermal efficiency, ηfpsc ) was ranged from 49.18% ± 9.52% to 66.02% ± 2.8%. The highest drying rates were achieved with the HSSD method. Moreover, the HSSD method led to a remarkable saving in energy with values ranging from 25.54% to 77.1% versus the traditional drying methods. While the best quality in terms of essential oil content and microbial load for the dried basil and sage herbs was achieved by the HSSD at 40°C. Finally, the HSSD is a promising energy-efficient method where it can save 70% of energy consumption, thus reducing the carbon footprint of drying processes, and providing higher quality products compared to the conventional methods.


Subject(s)
Desiccation , Sunlight , Temperature , Desiccation/methods , Plant Leaves
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