Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

A prediction model of energy requirements for drying of sliced okra samples in a hybrid solar-electric crop dryer is presented using the Buckingham’s-theorem. The major important variables considered in developing the prediction model include: area of exposed surface, air velocity, batch size, slice thickness, drying air temperature, initial moisture content and drying time. Okra slices dried in a hybrid solar-electric dryer were used for the experimental validation of the model. The prediction equation was verified and validated by fitting it into experimental data obtained from the developed hybrid dryer. Results obtained show that the fitted model has strong correlation with the experimental data with coefficient of determination, R² of 0.9907. The difference between the predicted and experimental energy requirements was observed to have no statistical significant difference at 5% level of probability, hence the suitability of the model:  in predicting the energy requirements for drying of okra slices in a hybrid convective solar crop dryer.