An Overview on Application of Exergy and Energy for Determination of Solar Drying Efficiency

The main objective of this work is to give an overview of the different used mathematical methods for modeling and calculating the energy and exergy efficiency of a solar drying system. For determination of the energy efficiency of thin or thick layers, heat and mass balances are established to the different components. In the case of thick layers equations of porous media are used. These methods allow following, in particular, the variations of the heated air and the product temperature and humidity. As a second part, the common way for the calculus of the exergetic efficiency passes through the establishment of exergy balance and after calculating the input, output and exergy loss. The influence and illustration of several parameters are as well presented in this paper.