Mathematical modelling and numerical simulation of a simple solar dryer for tropical wood using a collector

The main objective of this paper is to develop a computational model and to simulate the drying of timber with a solar dryer. Two sets of equations have been established: one for the solar collector and the other for the drying chamber. The computed and measured outlet temperatures of the solar collector were compared. A very satisfactory prediction by the model is observed. The theoretical variations of the relative humidity and temperature of the air inside the drying chamber were computed and the analyses gave satisfactory physical meanings. The drying kinetic is a little faster. Using the solar collector, the final moisture content of the wood stack of iroko species (Chlorophora excelsa) is lower than the one obtained without utilization of the solar collector. The proposed modelling can be used to design and model other solar dryers.