Hybrid solar-biomass dryers cut agricultural drying time by 70 percent
A comprehensive review of biomass-solar hybrid drying systems shows they dramatically outperform conventional methods, reducing drying time from 144 hours to 48 hours while boosting thermal efficiency by up to 13 percent. For agricultural exporters and food processors facing rising energy costs, this hybrid approach offers a commercially viable path to lower operating expenses and meet sustainability demands.
Originaltitel: Performance evaluation, simulation, and mathematical modeling of biomass–solar drying systems: a systematic review
Abstract Drying is a critical post-harvest operation essential for preserving agricultural product quality; however, conventional methods are highly energy-intensive. To address this, integrating renewable energy has become vital. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive systematic review of biomass–solar hybrid dryers from 2016 to 2026, evaluating their performance, modeling, design evolution, and sustainability. While several review articles exist, a specific research gap remains regarding the comprehensive synthesis of life cycle sustainability, techno-economic feasibility, and industrial scalability for biomass–solar hybrid configurations. This study bridges this gap by compiling and synthesizing data across five thematic areas: design and development, performance and efficiency analysis, modeling and simulation, quality assessment, and economic and sustainability impact. Important conclusions demonstrate that hybrid systems achieve significantly higher drying efficiency, reducing drying time by up to 70% (e.g., plantain slices from 144 to 48 h) and increasing thermal efficiency by 6–13% compared to solar-only modes. Key findings reveal that the moisture content of natural rubber was reduced by 34.26–0.34% (db) within 48 h, collector efficiencies reached 46.54%, and annual CO 2 savings ranged from 44 to 3074 kg per system. The economic analysis indicates payback periods of 0.6–3.7 years, with over 80% savings in operating costs, alongside improved retention of bioactive compounds. Consequently, it is concluded that while biomass–solar hybrid dryers represent a highly viable and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel dryers, their widespread commercialization is currently hindered by a lack of standardized performance metrics, comprehensive life cycle assessments, and industrial-scale validation. Therefore, future research should prioritize the development of smart control systems, thermal storage integration, and scalable designs to facilitate broader industrial adoption. Graphical abstract