Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of hot air flow pattern in cabinet drying of osmo-pretreated green bell pepper

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation of air flow distribution, air velocity and pressure field pattern as it will affect moisture transient in a cabinet tray dryer is performed using SolidWorks Flow Simulation (SWFS) 2014 SP 4.0 program. The model used for the drying process in this experiment was designed with Solid Works 2014 SP4.0 while the simulation was performed using SWFS 2014 program using the standard turbulence Intensity-Length model in steady-state regime. The effects of the model were used to analyze the flow parameters and it was observed that fluid density vary along the distance of travel. The average air temperature gotten in the process of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation was in agreement with the experimental preset temperature for drying green bell pepper with an error of 0.02 %. The dryer model describes the transfer process and flow field pattern of air in the drying chamber and predicts the instantaneous temperature, air velocity, pressure field pattern at any location of the dryer with emphasis on the drying trays. The R² values of drying parameters as they vary with distance of travel along the trays were presented in order to know the relationship of these parameters with the dryer setup.

Keywords: CFD, SolidWorks, SWFS, drying, airflow, drying temperature