Thesis Summary: Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of a Solar-Biomass Hybrid Air Heating System for Drying Applications

The overall objective of this research was to design, develop, and investigate the performance of a renewable energy-based (solar-biomass) hybrid air heating system. The system consists of an unglazed transpired solar collector (UTC), a rock bed thermal storage, and a biomass gasifier stove with heat exchanger, to supply hot air at a required temperature and flow rate for a daily load fraction exceeding 90%. From a review of literature, an air heating system aimed at reducing the weather dependency and improving the temperature and flow rate stability without a conventional back-up heater was designed. Among the various types of solar collectors, thermal storage, biomass stoves, and heat exchangers that are generally used, specific designs were chosen and analyzed. Based on the analyses, individual components of the air heating system were designed and developed. The components were coupled, and detailed experimentation was carried out on the integrated system.