International Journal of Heat and Technology

Vol. 41, No. 5, October, 2023, pp. 1365-1373

Journal homepage: http://iieta.org/journals/ijht

Energy Efficiency of a Biomass Powered Dryer: An Analysis of Flue Gas Velocity Effects
During Chili Drying
Suparni Setyowati Rahayu1, Anak Agung Putu Susastriawan2* , Fredy Surahmanto3 , Muhammad Rio
Firmansyah4, Gugun Kurniawan4
1
Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Sains & Teknologi AKPRIND, Jl. Kalisahak 28, Yogyakarta 55222,
Indonesia
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institut Sains & Teknologi AKPRIND, Jl. Kalisahak 28, Yogyakarta 55222,
Indonesia
3
Department of Mechanical Engineering Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Jl. Colombo 1, Sleman, Yogyakarta
55281, Indonesia
4
Undergraduate Scholar of Mechanical Engineering, Institut Sains & Teknologi AKPRIND, Jl. Kalisahak 28, Yogyakarta
55222, Indonesia

Corresponding Author Email: [email protected]

https://doi.org/10.18280/ijht.410528 ABSTRACT

Received: 4 July 2023 The increasing emphasis on renewable energy sources has fostered interest in the use of
Revised: 25 September 2023 biomass waste as a potential power source. Despite this, few studies have explored its
Accepted: 12 October 2023 application in powering drying machinery. This study presents the design, fabrication, and
Available online: 31 October 2023 performance testing of a biomass-powered dryer, specifically developed for chili drying.
The constructed dryer, featuring a drying box, biomass furnace, and flue gas passage, is
distinguished by its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and its capacity to operate during
Keywords: inclement weather due to its reliance on flue gas derived from biomass combustion. Given
biomass, dryer, energy, flue gas, exergy the rising culinary demand for chili powder, effective drying of chili prior to powdering is
crucial. This research furthers this goal by conducting an energy and exergy analysis of the
flue gas dryer, operating at varying flue gas velocities of 8, 13, 14, and 15.5 m/s, during
the chili drying process. In addition, sustainability indicators such as the Waste to Energy
Ratio (WER) and Sustainability Index (SI) were also investigated. Preliminary findings
indicate that the biomass-powered dryer operates effectively under indirect-forced
convection mode, with flue gas velocity significantly influencing the energy and exergy
outcomes of the dryer. Peak efficiencies for both energy and exergy were found to be 22%
and 23.99%, respectively, at a flue gas flow of 13 m/s.

1. INTRODUCTION forced convection drying involves heating medium movement

driven by external forces.
Sun-drying methods have been extensively employed Various energy sources can supply the heat for the air-
worldwide by traditional farmers for the desiccation of heating medium, depending on the design and application
agricultural products. This approach typically involves the objectives. These sources include solar energy [3-5], biomass
exposure of the product to sunlight to facilitate moisture energy [6, 7], hybrid solar-biomass energy [8, 9], or flue gas
elimination. For example, around one week of adequate energy [10]. Dryers operating under forced convection mode
sunshine is necessary to reduce moisture content to an optimal are reported to have superior thermal efficiency compared to
7.0-7.5% [1]. However, the drying time - defined as the period those operating under natural convection, with recorded
needed to reach the desired moisture content - is substantially energy efficiencies of 67.66% and 59.74% respectively [5].
extended during the rainy season and can negatively impact Although solar dryers demonstrate relatively high thermal
product characteristics [2]. To address these limitations, more efficiency, their functionality is compromised during the rainy
effective drying methods are needed. season.
Hot air is commonly utilized as a heating medium in both In response to these challenges, hybrid solar-biomass
direct and indirect contact drying methods, under either free or powered dryers have been developed. Despite their potential,
forced convection conditions. Direct contact drying refers to these hybrid dryers require additional costs for the combustion
processes where the heating medium directly interacts with the chamber and have demonstrated relatively low thermal
product during drying. Conversely, indirect contact drying efficiency. For instance, the thermal efficiency of a biomass-
involves scenarios where the heating medium and the product powered dryer used for drying sliced turmeric fingers was
remain separate throughout the drying process. Natural reported to be merely 4.35% and 4.62% for passive and active
convection mode is characterized by the natural flow of the modes, respectively [6]. One potential solution to mitigate
heating medium due to temperature differences, whereas excessive heat loss from the drying chamber in biomass-

1365
powered dryers is the application of thermal insulation on the from 23.25% to 73.31% with an average of 49.12%. Akpinar
drying chamber's walls [11]. [24] conducted a similar study using an FCISD on mint leaves.
Biomass energy-powered dryers present a promising They reported an exergy efficiency that ranged from 34.76%
technology, particularly in regions such as Indonesia, which to 87.717%, and identified the highest potential for improving
boasts considerable biomass energy resources, amounting to performance (IP) as 0.017 kW. Mugi and Chandramohan [17]
approximately 33 GW [12]. Furthermore, the use of alternative performed an EEA during the drying of okra in an Indirect
energy sources such as biomass can significantly reduce Solar Dryer (ISD). The average SAC was 74.98% and the
carbon dioxide emissions and prevent high carbon footprint efficiency was 24.95% under forced convection conditions,
processes [13, 14]. These factors have motivated the present while under free convection conditions, the average SAC was
research, in which an indirect biomass-powered dryer was 61.49% and the efficiency was 20.13%. The EEA analysis
developed and its thermodynamic performance analyzed. revealed that the ISD operated more effectively under forced
The first law of thermodynamics, focusing on the quantity convection conditions.
and type of energy, does not address the quality of that energy. In stark contrast to the extensive body of research on Energy
To consider the effects of irreversibility and surrounding and Exergy Analysis (EEA) pertaining to solar dryers, only a
conditions on energy losses, the exergy concept of the second limited number of studies have been conducted on flue gas
law of thermodynamics must be employed [15]. Exergy, or the dryers. A notable contribution in this area is the work of Silva
maximum work that can be performed by a system, et al. [25] who conducted EEA on a flue gas-powered rotary
acknowledges that energy losses and entropy generation are dryer used for drying sawdust in a large-scale pellet facility.
inevitable [16]. Therefore, an evaluation of energy and exergy The rotary dryer exhibited an efficiency of 1.5% and 2.2% in
(EEA) provides a valuable tool for assessing the terms of energy and exergy, respectively. Silva et al. further
thermodynamic aspects of the dryer and for developing an recommended the recovery of flue gas enthalpy for the pre-
efficient dryer that takes into account irreversibility and losses heating process.
to the surroundings [17]. A review of the literature reveals that while solar air dryers
Several studies have reported on the Energy and Exergy cannot operate during rainy seasons and have high initial costs,
Analysis (EEA) of various types of dryers used for different hybrid solar-biomass dryers suffer from low thermal
products. Darvishi et al. [18] conducted an EEA of a efficiency. To optimize the design of biomass dryers, EEA can
microwave dryer used for drying kiwi slices. Their findings be used as a crucial tool for development. However, the
indicated lower moisture diffusivity effectiveness as the majority of EEA studies focus on solar dryers, with very few
thickness of the slices increased and power was stepped up. examining flue gas dryers.
Energy efficiencies ranged from 15.15% to 32.27%, while The current study addresses this gap in the literature by
exergy efficiencies were between 11.35% and 24.68%. designing, fabricating, and testing a biomass-powered dryer.
Additionally, the Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) values The primary objectives of this research are to create a biomass
ranged from 7.79 to 16.20 MJ/kg. Chowdhury et al. performed energy-powered dryer that operates efficiently in both dry and
an EEA of a tunnel type solar drying machine used for drying rainy seasons, and to analyze its performance using EEA under
jackfruit skin [19]. They reported that both the inflow and different flue gas velocities. Additionally, this work aims to
losses of exergy in the heating chamber increased as solar investigate sustainability indicators in terms of Water-Energy
radiation intensified. The average energy and exergy Ratio (WER) and Sustainability Index (SI).
efficiencies were found to be 48.21% and 41.42%,
respectively. El-Mesery and El-Khawaga [20] examined the
EEA of tomato drying using three different dryers: a hot air 2. METHOD
convection dryer (HAD), a combined hot air-microwave dryer
(MW-HAD), and a hot air-infrared dryer (IR-HAD). They The work is begun by designing and fabricating biomass
reported a peak SEC of 92.6 MJ/kg at an air velocity of 3 m/s energy powered dryer. The dryer is tested its performance
and an air temperature of 60ºC. In contrast, the lowest SEC of while drying chili using rice husk as biomass energy source by
3.77 MJ/kg was observed at 900 W and 80ºC in MW-HAD, performing energy and exergy analysis (EEA) at different flue
which was suggested as the optimal operating condition for the gas velocities. The work also investigates sustainability
dryer. indicators of the biomass energy powered dryer.
In another study, Lingayat et al. [21] conducted an EEA of
a solar dryer of the indirect convective type under free 2.1 Material
convection (NCISD) while dehydrating bananas. The reported
losses and exergy efficiencies ranged from 3.36 to 25.21 kJ/kg Figure 1 present a photograph and technical drawing of a
and 7.4% to 45.32%, respectively. The average exergy biomass energy powered dryer fabricated in the present work.
efficiency of the Solar Air Collector (SAC) was found to be The dryer has main component of a furnace, a drying cabinet,
25.64%. Panwar utilized a NCISD drying machine for drying a blower, and an exhaust fan. The furnace and drying cabinet
coriander leaves and performed an EEA [22]. The energy are made from Steel plate. The furnace has a size of
efficiency of the machine was observed to vary from 7.81% to 574×570×594 mm and the cabinet has an overall dimension of
37.93%, while the exergy efficiency ranged from 55.35% to 1000×600×1200 mm. Flue gas from a furnace passes a drying
79.39%. Karthikeyan and Murugavelh [23] conducted cabinet through a passage between inner wall and outer wall
experiments and performed an EEA on a Forced Convection of the cabinet (i.e. indirect contact dryer). Blower is used to
Indirect Solar Dryer (FCISD) for the dehydration of turmeric. blow a combustion air to a furnace. The dryer can be run in
They reported that the exergy efficiency of the FCISD ranged natural convection mode as well as in forced convection mode.

1366
 2.3 Energy analysis

300.00
300,00

100.00
10 0,00
Once data are collected, EEA for the furnace, drying
chamber and the overall system are conducted. In addition,

1200,00
1200.00
sustainability indicators in terms WER and SI are also assessed

2157.00
2157,00
in this work.
600.00
600,00

317,00
757,00

957,00
957.00
2.3.1 Energy analysis of the furnace

100,00
570,00
By assuming steady flow process, mass and energy
1000.00
1000,00 600.00
600,00
872,00

conservation of the furnace are obtained using Eq. (1) and Eq.
(2).

1180.20
80,20
17,00
317.00
757,00
757.00

4411.80
11,80
3

∑ 𝑚𝑓,𝑖𝑛 = ∑ 𝑚𝑓,𝑜𝑢𝑡 (1)

1100.00
00,00
570,00
570.00

872,00
872.00 574.00
574,00

𝑄𝑓,𝑖𝑛 = 𝑄𝑓,𝑜𝑢𝑡 + 𝑄𝑓,𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 (2)

180,20

Figure 1. Photograph and its technical drawing of the dryer

411,80

(unit: mm) where, mf,in is the mass of total biomass and combustion air
574,00
fed to the furnace, mf,out is the mass of flue gas produced by
2.2 Experimental work the furnace, Qf,in is the heat input to the furnace, Qf,out is the
useful heat produced by the furnace, and Qf,loss is the heat loss
In the present work, the test is conducted using 6 kg rice from the furnace to the surrounding. Q f,out and Qf,in are
husk as the energy source of a dryer while drying 3 kg chili for calculated using Eq. (3) and Eq. (4).
2 hours. Every tray in the cabinet is loaded with 1 kg chili. The
tests are performed in forced convection mode at different flue 𝑄𝑓,𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑚𝑓,𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑐𝑝,𝑔 (𝑇𝑔 − 𝑇0 ) (3)
gas velocity, i.e., 8, 13, 14, and 15.5 m/s. The velocity of flue
gas passing through the passage is controlled by mean 𝑄𝑓,𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑏 𝐻𝐻𝑉𝑏 (4)
controlling rotation speed of the exhaust fan. Figure 2 displays
experimental setup of the work. During the test, temperature
where, cp,g is the specific heat of flue gas (1.0 kJkg -1K-1) [25],
of a sample at each tray (T1, T2, and T3), temperature of inlet
Tg and T0 are the flue gas temperatures and ambient
flue gas (T4) and outlet flue gas (T5) are measured using K-
temperature, mb is the mass of biomass used, and HHVb is the
type thermocouple and logged into data logger Graphtec240.
Higher Heating Value of the biomass.
Temperature of ambient air (T0) is also measured using
The furnace energy efficiency (ηen,f) is defined as heat
thermometer. For all tests, combustion air is supplied using
output to heat input ratio which is calculated using Eq. (5).
blower with flow rate of 27 m3/h. Mass of sample before and
after drying are weighted using a digital balance. Meanwhile,
energy, exergy, and efficiency of the furnace, the drying 𝑄𝑓,𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑓,𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑐𝑝,𝑔 (𝑇𝑔 − 𝑇0 )
𝜂𝑒𝑛,𝑓 = = (5)
cabinet, and the entire system are calculated using data 𝑄𝑓,𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑏 𝐻𝐻𝑉𝑏
collection during the experimental work.
2.3.2 Energy analysis of the drying cabinet
Similar with a furnace where process is assumed steady
Flue gas outlet flow, the conservation of mass and energy of the cabinet are
Exhaust fan obtained using Eq. (6) and Eq. (7).
Water vapor outlet
∑ 𝑚𝑔,𝑖𝑛 = ∑ 𝑚𝑔,𝑜𝑢𝑡 (6)
Tg,out

Tray 3 T3
𝑄𝑔,𝑖𝑛 = 𝑄𝑔,𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 + 𝑄𝑔,𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 (7)

Tray 2 T2 where, mg,in is the mass of flue gas at inlet of the drying cabinet,
mg,out is the mass of flue gas at outlet of the dryer. By assuming
Tray 1 T1 0.65 volumetric efficiency of the exhaust fan, the mass of a
flue gas entering the drying cabinet is calculated using Eq. (8).
Typically, the exhaust fan with forward curved blade has peak
Drying cabinet
efficiency about 60-65%. Hence, it is acceptable to use fan’s
volumetric efficiency of 0.65 in Eq. (8).

Flue gas
inlet ∑ 𝑚𝑔,𝑖𝑛 = 0.65𝜌𝑔 𝐴𝑣𝑔 (8)
Tg,in
Blower
where, ρg is the density of the flue gas, A is the passage area,
Furnace and vg is the flue gas velocity. Flue gas density at atmospheric
pressure and flue gas temperature is obtained using a graph in
www.pipeflowcalculations [26]. Meanwhile, energy input and
Figure 2. Experimental setup used energy of the drying chamber are obtained using Eq. (9)

1367
and Eq. (10). equation [28].

𝑄𝑔,𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑔,𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑝,𝑔 (𝑇𝑔,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑇0 ) (9) 𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸𝑥𝑏,𝑖𝑛 = 1.047𝑚𝑏 𝐻𝐻𝑉𝑏 (18)

𝑄𝑔,𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 = (𝑚𝑠,𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑝,𝑠 ∆𝑇𝑠 ) + (𝑚𝑣 ℎ𝑓𝑔 ) (10) Exergy outflow from the furnace is expressed in Eq. (19).

where, mg,in is the mass of a flue gas, cp,g is the specific heat of 𝑇𝑔
𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑚𝑔 𝑐𝑝,𝑔 [(𝑇𝑔 − 𝑇0 ) − 𝑇0 𝑙𝑛 ( )] (19)
a sample, Tg,in is the flue gas temperature, T0 is the ambient 𝑇0
temperature, ms,in is the sample initial mass, cp,s is the sample
specific heat (1.87 kJ/kg.K), ∆Ts is the temperature difference Exergy loss or irreversibility of the furnace (If) is expressed
of the sample before and after drying, m v is the mass of water as:
vapor, and hfg is the latent heat of vaporization of water (2260
kJ/kg). The mv is calculated using Eq. (11). 𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 𝐼𝑓 = 1.047𝑚𝑏 𝐻𝐻𝑉𝑏 − 𝑚𝑔 𝑐𝑝,𝑔
𝑇𝑔 (20)
[(𝑇𝑔 − 𝑇0 ) − 𝑇0 𝑙𝑛 ( )]
𝑚𝑣 = 𝑚𝑐𝑏,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑚𝑐𝑏,𝑜𝑢𝑡 (11) 𝑇0

where, ms,in and ms,out are the mass of sample before and after The furnace exergy efficiency is obtained from Eq. (21).
drying, respectively.
Energy efficiency of drying cabinet (ηen,d) is the ratio of 𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠
useful energy for drying to the drying cabinet which is 𝜂𝑒𝑥.𝑓 = =1− (21)
𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑖𝑛 𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑖𝑛
calculated using Eq. (12).
2.4.2 Exergy analysis of drying cabinet
𝑄𝑔,𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 (𝑚𝑠,𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑝,𝑠 ∆𝑇𝑠 ) + (𝑚𝑣 ℎ𝑓𝑔 ) The exergy balance of the drying cabinet is formulated in
𝜂𝑒𝑛,𝑑 = = (12)
𝑄𝑔,𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑔,𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑝,𝑔 (𝑇𝑔,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑇0 ) Eq. (22) where, Exd,in, Exg,used, and Exg,loss are the exergy
inflow, exergy outflow, and exergy loss of the drying chamber,
Once energy analysis results of the furnace and drying respectively.
cabinet are obtained, the overall efficiency, SEC, and drying
rate are calculated. SEC of the dryer is defined as 1 kg of water ∑ 𝐸𝑥𝑑,𝑖𝑛 = ∑ 𝐸𝑥𝑔,𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 + ∑ 𝐸𝑥𝑔,𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 (22)
evaporate per 1 kg. Meanwhile, drying rate is a mass of water
vapor evaporated divided by drying time [7, 27].
Following Kuzgunkaya and Hepbasli [29], the Exd,in and
𝑄𝑓,𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑏 𝐻𝐻𝑉𝑏 Exd,out of the heating chamber:
𝑆𝐸𝐶 = = (13)
𝑚𝑣 𝑚𝑣 𝑇𝑔,𝑖𝑛
𝐸𝑥𝑔,𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑔 𝑐𝑝,𝑔 [(𝑇𝑔,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑇0 ) − 𝑇0 𝑙𝑛 ( )] (23)
𝑚𝑣 𝑇0
𝑚̇𝑝 = (14)
𝑡 𝑇𝑠,𝑖𝑛
𝐸𝑥𝑔,𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 = 𝑚𝑠 𝑐𝑝,𝑠 [(𝑇𝑠,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇0 ) − 𝑇0 𝑙𝑛 ( )] (24)
𝑇0
𝜂𝑒𝑛,𝑜 = 𝜂𝑒𝑛,𝑓 𝜂𝑒𝑛,𝑑 (15)
where, mg is flue gas mass entering a drying passage, cp,g is the
2.4 Exergy analysis flue gas specific heat (1 kJ/kg.k), Tg,in and Tg,out are the flue gas
temperatures entering and leaving the drying cabinet, ms is the
Exergy analysis of the thermal system is based on the mass of dried sample, cp,s is the specific heat of sample (1.87
second law of thermodynamics. Exergy is a measure of the kJ/kg.K), Ts,in and Ts,out are the sample temperature, and T0
quality of energy. It is the available energy that can be used in is the temperature of ambient air.
a system. It gives information about available energy that can The cabinet exergy efficiency is valued using Eq. (25) given
be used to optimize the drying process in the dryer [21]. by Akpinar [24].
Assuming steady flow drying process, exergy per unit mass of
any system is proposed by Mugi and Chandramohan [17] as: 𝐸𝑥𝑑,𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝜂𝑒𝑥.𝑑 = (25)
𝑇 𝐸𝑥𝑑,𝑖𝑛
𝐸𝑥 = 𝑚𝑐𝑝 [(𝑇 − 𝑇0 ) − 𝑇0 𝑙𝑛 ( )] (16)
𝑇0
Meanwhile, overall exergy efficiency of the system is
obtained using
2.4.1 Exergy analysis of furnace
Exergy balance for the furnace is calculated using Eq. (14)
𝜂𝑒𝑥,𝑜 = 𝜂𝑒𝑥,𝑓 𝜂𝑒𝑥,𝑑 (26)
where Exf,in, Exf,out, and Exf,loss are the exergy inflow, the
exergy outflow, and the energy loss for the furnace,
respectively. 2.5 Sustainability indicator analysis

Thermodynamics performance of the dryer can be better

∑ 𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑖𝑛 = ∑ 𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑜𝑢𝑡 + ∑ 𝐸𝑥𝑓,𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 (17) evaluated using exergy sustainability indicators in terms of a
WER and SI. The indicators address the irreversibility and
Exergy inflow to furnace denotes biomas chemical exergy exergy waste during a process [17]. The WER and SI are
fed into a furnace which can be computed using a simple calculated using equations proposed by Ndukwu et al. [30].

1368
 𝐸𝑥𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠
𝑊𝐸𝑅 = (27) increases with increasing flue gas velocity, but contact time
𝐸𝑥𝑖𝑛
between flue gas and the cabinet also reduces which causes
heat transfer to the cabinet steps down. It can be stated that
1
𝑆𝐼 = (28) heat transfer from a flue gas to the sample is affected not only
1 − 𝜂𝑒𝑥 by convection coefficient but also by contact time. Convection
heat transfer improves as increasing flue gas velocity, but in
other hand contact time reduces as increasing heating medium
3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION velocity. The shorter gas residence time, resulting in the heat
transfer rate reduces [10]. At velocity of 13 m/s, the net effect
Figure 3(a) to 3(d) display temperature profile of a sample of these two are the highest, causes optimum heat transfer from
in tray 1, tray 2, and tray 3 during the test for flue gas velocity the flue gas to the drying cabinet.
of 8, 13, 14, and 15.5 m/s. Temperature of sample in tray 1, 2,
and 3 increase gradually after 20 minutes drying at flue gas 80
velocity of 8 and 13 m/s and the temperature step up 70 (a) vg = 8 m/s
significantly after 10 minutes at flue gas velocity of 14 and

Tray's Temp. (o C)
60
15.5 m/s. At this stage, combustion rate of the biomass in the
50
furnace reaches maximum which releases maximum heat and
more heat is transferred to the drying cabinet. After reaching 40 Tray 1
60 to 70C, the drying temperature relatively stable and 30 Tray 2
declined gradually at the end of the drying at all flue gas 20 Tray 3
velocity investigated. The amount of heat from the furnace to 10
the drying cabinet reduces due to combustion rate get slower
0
at the end of the drying. Mostly, the biomass in the furnace has 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
already bunt out at this time. Time (minute)
From Figure 3, similar temperature trend of the sample at
tray 1, tray 2, and tray 3 at flue gas velocity of 8, 13, 14, and 80
15.5 m/s are reveled. The temperature of a sample can be 70 (b)
vg =vg13
= 13
m/sm/s
ranked as tray 1>tray 2>tray 3. More amount of heat is 60
Tray's Temp. (oC)

obtained by tray 1 which causes higher temperature of tray 1. 50

The more uniform the temperature in the drying cabinet, the
40
better the performance of the dryer. The most uniform Tray 1
temperature in the drying cabinet is observed at velocity of 13 30 Tray 2
m/s. As indicated in Figure 3, the temperature difference 20 Tray 3
between the trays at 13 m/s is the smallest when compared 10
with the same at other flue gas velocities. Almost equal
0
amount of heat is transferred to the tray 1, tray 2, and tray 3
0 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
when flue gas velocity is maintained 13 m/s. Compared with Time (minute)
Alit et al. [7], temperature distribution on the tray is better in
the present work, since the temperature difference between the 80
tray is smaller in the present work. 70 (c) vg = 14 m/s
Figure 4(a) and 4(b) present energy analysis in terms of 60
Tray's Temp. (o C)

energy input and energy output of a furnace and a drying

50
chamber. Although same amount of rice husk is fed for 2 hours
drying time, but heat input is different for different flue gas 40 Tray 1
velocity. This difference in heat input due to completeness 30 Tray 2
level of feedstock combustion. The less unburnt rice husk at 20 Tray 3
the end of drying, the more complete the combustion. More 10
amount of rice husk burnt leads to higher heat input. As can be
0
seen from Figure 4(a), the highest heat input occurs at 13 m/s. 0 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120
The amount of unburnt rice husk is the lowest at velocity of 13 Time (minute)
m/s. It indicates the highest level of combustion which impacts
the highest of heat input. This heat input directly affects heat 80
output of the furnace. Increasing energy input causes 70 (d) vg = 15.5 m/s
enhancing heat output of the furnace. Thus, the trend of heat
Tray's Temp. (oC)

60
output is similar to trend of energy input.
50
The trend of energy input to the drying cabinet follows the
trend of energy generated by the furnace. Flue gas velocity 40
Tray 1
gives significant effect on energy used for drying the sample 30
Tray 2
in the furnace. As shown in Figure 4(b), increasing velocity 20
Tray 3
from 8 m/s to 13 m/s enhances energy utilization in the furnace. 10
Increasing flue gas velocity causes heat transfers enhancement 0
from the passage to the drying cabinet due to enhancing 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
convection coefficient of the flue gas. However, energy Time (minute)
utilization in the drying cabinet reduces even though flue gas
velocity further increases. The convection coefficient Figure 3. Temperature profile of a sample

1369
 of the furnace is found to be 52.05% at flue gas velocity of 13
m/s. The values are slightly decreases for flue gas velocity
higher than 13 m/s. Meanwhile, energy efficiency of the
drying cabinet decreases after reaching maximum value of
42.28% at flue gas velocity of 13 m/s. At velocity of 13 m/s,
optimum heat of flue gas is transferred to the drying cabinet.
Since the overall energy efficiency of the dryer is affected by
energy efficiency of the furnace and the drying box, the overall
energy efficiency of the dryer is obtained at velocity of 13 m/s.
The maximum energy efficiency of the dryer is 22.01%. This
value is higher than thermal efficiency of biomass-fired heater
(4.62%) obtained by Rabha [6], but lower than that reported
by Asnaz and Dolcek [5].
Figure 5(b) presents an effect of velocity on specific energy
consumption (SEC) and drying rate. It is obtained inversely
proportional relation between SEC and drying rate. The SEC
decreases as velocity increases from 8 m/s to 13 m/s and it
inclines at velocity higher than 13 m/s. The lower the SEC, the
lesser energy needed for evaporating 1 kg water vapor of the
sample. The lowest SEC of 6651.96 kJ rice husk per kg water
vapor is obtained at flue gas velocity of 13 m/s. In contrast,
drying rate steps up at velocity moves from 8 m/s to 13 m/s
and it declines as velocity higher than 13 m/s. The highest
drying rate of 0.0063 g/s occurs at the lowest SEC, i.e., at
velocity of 13 m/s.
Figure 6(a) and 6(b) present exergy analysis results of the
furnace and the drying cabinet. The graph in Figure 6(a)
indicates similar trend between inflow exergy and outflow
Figure 4. Energy analysis exergy in the furnace. The outflow energy increases as
increasing inflow energy in the furnace and vice versa the
100 outflow energy reduces as reducing inflow energy. From
(a) Furnace
Figure 6(b), the similar trend of inflow exergy and used exergy
Energy Efficeincy (%)

80 Drying Cabinet
is also observed.
Overall
60 100000
(a) Ex,in
40 80000
Ex,out
Exeergy (kJ)

20 60000

0 40000
8 13 14 15.5
Flue Gas Velocity (m/s)
20000
16000 0,007
(b) 0
14000 0,006
8 13 14 15.5
12000 Flue Gas Velocity (m/s)
SEC (kg fuel/kg w.v)

0,005
Drying Rate (g/s)

10000
0,004 800
8000 (b) Ex,in
0,003
6000 600 Ex,used
SEC
0,002
Exergy (kJ)

4000 Drying Rate

2000 0,001 400
0 0
8 13 14 15.5
200
Flue Gas Velocity (m/s)

Figure 5. Energy efficiency, SEC, and drying rate 0

8 13 14 15.5
Energy efficiency of the furnace, drying cabinet, and overall Flue Gas Velocity (m/s)
efficiency of the system is given in Figure 5(a). Energy
efficiency of the furnace steps up when flue gas velocity
increases from 8 m/s to 13 m/s. Maximum energy efficiency Figure 6. Exergy analysis

1370
 Ratio between inflow exergy and outflow exergy is defined work properly while drying 3 kg of chili. However, it requires
as exergy efficiency. The exergy efficiency of the furnace and longer drying time to fulfil the minimum water content of the
the drying cabinet, and also overall exergy efficiency of the chili for making chili powder.
dryer are given in Figure 7(a). Exergy efficiency of the furnace,
the drying box, and the overall dryer are incline as flue gas (a) (b)
velocity steps up from 8 m/s to 13 m/s. After reaching
maximum values at flue gas velocity of 13 m/s, those exergy
efficiencies decrease as increasing flue gas velocity from 13
m/s to 15.5 m/s. Maximum exergy efficiency for the furnace,
the drying cabinet and the overall system are 40.97%, 58.56%,
and 23.99%, respectively.
Sustainability indicator of the biomass energy powered
dryer is analyzed in terms of waste to energy ratio (WER) and
sustainability index (SI). The WER is defined as a ratio of Figure 8. Photograph of a sample
exergy loss to exergy input. The smaller the WER, the better
the performance of the system. On the other hand, the SI It can be summarized that flue gas velocity affects
indicates the potential of the dryer as a sustainable energy performance (i.e., energy, exergy, efficiency, and
system. The higher the SI, the better the sustainability of the sustainability) of the biomass powered dryer. Increasing flue
dryer. Figure 7(b) shows an effect of flue gas velocity on WER gas velocity means that its mass flow rate inclines and its
and SI of the biomass energy powered dryer. From the graph convection coefficient improves, leads to enhance heat
in Figure 7(b), the WER of the dryer ranges from 0.41 to 0.56 transfer to the drying cabinet, in turns improve performance of
and the SI is in the range of 1.78-2.41. The SI in the present the dryer. If the flue gas velocity is too high, the performance
work is lower than SI obtained by Ndukwu et al. [30]. The best of the dryer reduces due to contact time between the flue gas
performance on the dryer in terms of sustainability is obtained and the cabinet wall is shorten which impacts on reduction in
at flue gas velocity of 13 m/s. At this flue gas velocity, the heat transfer to the cabinet that leads performance of the dryer
WER is minimum (0.41) and SI is maximum (2.41). In can be decreases. The best performance of the dryer is obtained under
stated that the rice husk powered dryer fabricated in the forced convection mode with flue gas velocity of 13 m/s. At
present work has to be operated at flue gas velocity of 13 m/s. flue gas velocity of 13 m/s, the net effect between convection
coefficient and contact time are the highest which causes
100 optimum heat transfer from the flue gas to the drying cabinet,
(a) and results the best performance of the dryer.
Furnace
Exergy efficiency (%)

80 Drying Cabinet
Overall 4. CONCLUSION
60

The biomass energy powered dryer has been fabricated and

40
tested in this work. EEA is conducted while drying chili using
rice husk as biomass energy source at different flue gas
20 velocity. The sustainability indicator of the dryer has also been
investigated. It can be concluded that:
0 1. The biomass energy powered dryer works properly for
8 13 14 15.5
drying the agriculture product under indirect-forced
Flue Gas Velocity (m/s)
convection mode.
3 2. Velocity of flue gas effect energy and exergy of the
(b) dryer significantly. Velocity impacts convection
WER
2,5 coefficient and contact time. Increasing flue gas
SI velocity gives positive effect on convection coefficient
Sustainability

2 but give negative effect on contact time between flue

gas and drying cabinet’s wall. The highest overall
1,5
energy efficiency (22%) and the highest exergy
1 efficiency (23.99) of the dryer are obtained at flue gas
velocity of 13 m/s.
0,5 3. The biomass waste, such as rice husk waste, has a good
potential for drying an agriculture product. The rice
0 husk powered dryer while drying chili has lower waste
8 13 14 15.5
to energy ratio (0.41) and high sustainability index
Flue Gas Velocity (m/s)
(2.41) at velocity of 13 m/s.
Figure 7. Exergy efficiency and sustainability 4. The biomass powered dryer is interesting technology
for farmer in rural area since simplicity of the design
Figure 8(a) and 8(b) show the photograph of the chili as a and low-cost fabrication. The most important is that the
sample of dried product before and after drying in the rice husk dryer will help the farmer in drying their agriculture
powered dryer for 2 hours. The color of dried chili turns dark product during rainy season. In addition, the use of
after drying which indicates the sample has experience water waste of biomass as a feedstock of the dryer can
vapor loss after 2 hours drying. The rice husk powered dryer contribute diversification of biomass utilization.

1371
 5. In the next work, the performance of the dryer should [9] Hamdani, Rizal, T.A., Muhammad, Z. (2018).
be investigated under various biomass feedstocks. It is Fabrication and testing of hybrid solar-biomass dryer for
recommended that the moisture content of the drying fish. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 12:
feedstocks has to be maintained under 30% to obtain 489-496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2018.06.008
better combustion in the furnace. It is suggested to [10] Cui, Y., Zhang, G., Liu, W., Li, Z., Jiang, N. (2017).
investigate dryer performance under free convection in Research on heat and mass transfer characteristics of flue
the future work to get more comprehensive gas flow drying biomass particles. Procedia Engineering,
understanding of the dryer. 205: 3898-3902.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.10.042
[11] Huang, H., Yin, S., Zhu, G. (2019). Heat transfer
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT performance for DCLL blanket with no-wetting insulator
walls. Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Letters, 9(3):
The authors sincerely thank BRIN (National Research and 195-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taml.2019.03.003
Innovation Agency) and LPDP (Endowment Funds for [12] Susastriawan, A.A.P., Purwanto, Y., Warisman, A.
Education) of Republic of Indonesia for financial support (2021). Development of an air-stage downdraft gasifier
through the scheme RIIM (Research and Innovation for and performance evaluation on feedstock of rice husk.
Developed Indonesia) Batch II 2022 with reference number Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and
82/II.7/HK/2022. Thermal Sciences, 84(1): 20-32.
https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.84.1.2032
[13] Pirasteh, G., Saidur, R., Rahman, S.M.A., Rahim, N.A.
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