Solar Drying Greenhouse With Heat Storage for Night Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for drying agricultural products and biomass fuels rely on non-renewable energy sources, resulting in low thermal efficiency and high costs, along with environmental harm from emissions.
Innovation Solution
An integrated solar energy drying system utilizing a solar greenhouse, solar energy storage bed, air condenser, and wet dust collector, which leverages solar energy through irradiation and convection, and stores heat for night-time use, enhancing thermal efficiency and drying rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional non-renewable energy sources are used for drying, then drying can be achieved, but thermal efficiency is low and operational costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solar greenhouse, solar energy storage bed, air condenser, and wet dust collector into an integrated drying system. The solar greenhouse collects solar energy during the day, the energy storage bed stores thermal energy for night-time use, the air condenser condenses moisture from the drying air, and the wet dust collector removes particulates. This merging of multiple functions into one system achieves both high thermal efficiency and effective drying rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar energy storage bed serves multiple functions: it stores thermal energy for night-time drying, preheats air before it enters the greenhouse, and can be used independently for drying operations. The integrated system can operate in multiple modes (day-time solar drying, night-time stored heat drying, and combined mode), providing universal drying capability across different time periods and weather conditions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional drying methods are used, then drying process is simple, but harmful emissions are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The air condenser converts the harmful moisture and heat in the exhaust air into useful resources by condensing the moisture for potential reuse and recovering thermal energy. The wet dust collector converts harmful particulate emissions into collectable material that can be removed and disposed of properly. This transforms the harmful exhaust products into beneficial or manageable substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust treatment function is segmented into separate components: the air condenser handles moisture separation and the wet dust collector handles particulate removal. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in treating specific harmful substances, making the overall system more effective at reducing emissions while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
3Duration of action of moving object
If solar greenhouse only uses solar irradiation, then structure is simple, but drying cannot continue at night
Solution Approach 1:
The solar energy storage bed performs preliminary action by collecting and storing thermal energy from solar irradiation during the day when sunlight is available. This pre-stored energy is then released during night-time to continue the drying process without interruption. The system prepares energy in advance during periods when solar radiation is abundant, ensuring continuous operation during periods when radiation is absent.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves higher thermal efficiency and lower operational costs, enabling energy-saving and environmentally friendly drying of agricultural products and biomass fuels, while utilizing solar energy both day and night.
Implementation Method 1
utilize the solar energy through irradiation and convection
Implementation Method 2
solar energy storage bed... stores heat for night-time use
Implementation Method 3
utilize the solar energy through irradiation and convection
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated solar energy drying system, including: a solar greenhouse, a solar energy storage bed, an air condenser, a wet dust collector, pipes, valves, and blowers. The solar greenhouse includes: a top side, three sunny sides, a shady side, floorboards, a gas inlet, and two gas outlets. The solar energy storage bed includes: an upper air box, a lower air box, a plurality of solar heat collecting-storing pipes, and a sealing chamber. Each solar heat collecting-storing pipe includes an air pipe. The air condenser includes: an air inlet, an air outlet, two gas chambers, and a bundle of gas pipes. The solar greenhouse, the solar energy storage bed, the air condenser, the wet dust collectors are connected via pipes. The valves and the blowers are disposed on the pipes.