Performance analysis of a novel thermal energy storage integrated solar dryer for drying of coconuts.

The drying of food products is an essential step in the preservation of crops and agricultural by-products that serve as raw materials for numerous end applications. Solar drying with phase change materials (PCMs) is an efficient low-energy consumption process in the post-reaping stage, reducing food deterioration. A customized solar dryer setup was assembled using Cudappah (black) stones as the base of the drying chamber to facilitate the absorption of solar energy on its surface.