Advanced cascade control strategy applied to an indirect hybrid solar-gas dryer: Numerical and experimental investigations

In this paper, a cascade control strategy is applied to the temperature inside hybrid solar-gas dryer. order use dryer even at night and in unfavorable weather conditions, drying chamber heated by two systems. The first one solar air heater second gas heater. collector relatively slow compared heating system. Static dynamic studies were established have revealed nonlinear behavior of each subsystem. approach was developed different setpoints range [50 °C, 90 °C] managing flow delivered burners according received energy. Simulation tests followed experimental investigations that proposed has been able fulfill desired performances temperatures level, with propitious steady-state error, reduced overshoot, fast transient settling time. Hence, for controlled 60 70 80 °C temperatures, following respectively obtained: error 0.5%, 0.28%, 1.28%, an overshoot 2.6%, 4.1%, 2.5%, time 20 min, 18 30 min. shown also effective perturbance rejection during operation. technique manufactured kit can be easily integrated into dryers it’s adequate compatible solution operation wide agro-food products. This makes it possible optimize energy consumption secondary source.