Modeling and Optimization of Energy and Exergy Parameters of a Hybrid-Solar Dryer for Basil Leaf Drying Using RSM

This study deals with the optimization of energetic and exergetic parameters of a hybrid solar dryer to dry basil leaves under determined experimental conditions at three air temperatures (40 C, 55 C, and 70 C) and three bed thickness levels (2, 4, and 6 cm). The optimization of the thermodynamic parameters was performed using the response surface method (RSM) based on the central composite design (CCD) and the desirability function (DF) to maximize the drying rate, exergy efficiency, improvement potential rate and the sustainability index, and to minimize the energy utilization, energy utilization ratio and exergy loss rate. These parameters were calculated on the basis of the first and second laws of thermodynamics as the response variables. Based on the results obtained, it was determined that the optimal conditions for basil drying were at a drying air temperature of 63.8 C and a bed thickness of 2 cm. At this point, the parameters of the drying rate, energy utilization, energy utilization ratio, exergy efficiency, exergy loss rate, improvement potential rate and sustainability index were obtained with the maximum utility function (D = 0.548) as 0.27, 0.019 (kJ/s), 0.23, 65.75%, 0.016 (kJ/s), 1.10 (kJ/s) and 0.015, respectively.