Performance Evaluation of Natural Convection Grain Dryer using Phase Change Material for Quality Drying of Paddy

Conservation of agricultural crops and minimization of grain losses is challenging issue in the present scenario. Effective use of thermal energy for drying of paddy and other cereals for maintaining proper quality is the quality drying process. Natural convection grain dryer is quite suitable for under developed and developing countries like India where rural electrification and advanced drying technology are not reachable .Natural convection dryer using biomass as a fuel can save the problems .In this present paper natural convection dryer along with phase change materials and its performance in effective drying of paddy has been studied. A detailed investigation has been carried out for drying of paddy at an average drying temperature of 50580C.Effective drying, quality of paddy and content of nutritional values have been explained. The drying efficiency was estimated 50.4% for drying of 100kg of paddy.