Performance analysis of solar drying system for red chili

•A solar drying system was tested for red chili.•Red chili was dried to the final moisture content about of 10% w.b from 80% w.b in 33 h.•The solar collector, drying system, pick-up and exergy efficiencies were about 28%, 13%, 45% and 57% respectively.•A 5.26 kW h/kg was obtained for the specific energy consumption.•The values of improvement potential were found to be in the range of 0 and 135 W.

This study is concerned with performance analysis of solar drying system for red chili. Red chili was dried to final moisture content of 10% w.b from 80% w.b in 33 h using this system. In this study, energy and exergy analyses of the solar drying process were performed for red chili. Using the first law of thermodynamics, energy analysis was carried out to estimate the useful energy gained from the collectors. However, exergy analysis during solar drying process was estimated by applying the second law of thermodynamics. The specific energy consumption (SEC) was 5.26 kW h/kg. The values of evaporative capacity and improvement potential were from 0.13 kg/s to 2.36 kg/s and 0 W to 135 W, respectively. The efficiencies of the solar collector, drying system, pick-up, and exergy were 28%, 13%, 45%, and 57% respectively, at an average solar radiation of 420 W/m2 and a mass flow rate of 0.07 kg/s.