Fazri Amir, Muhammad Amin, Nasruddin A. Abdullah, Suma Fachruri Ginting, Teuku Azuar Rizal, Suheri Suheri, Hamdani Umar, Faisal Muhammad Nur, T M Indra Mahlia
Solar drying is an effective and sustainable method for food preservation, yet conventional systems face significant challenges, including uneven heat distribution, high energy losses, and dependence on liquid-based heat transfer fluids (HTFs) that require external circulation pumps. This study proposes a novel parabolic trough collector (PTC)-based solar oven integrated with a heat pipe, designed to enhance heat transfer efficiency and drying performance while eliminating the need for additional energy input. Unlike conventional systems, this design employs passive heat transfer via heat pipes, ensuring uniform thermal distribution and improved energy utilization. Experimental analysis was conducted under two drying modes: active (with a fan) and passive (without a fan), with bilimbi fruit (Averrhoa bilimbi) as the test sample. Results demonstrated that the heat pipe effectively transferred heat, maintaining a minimal 0.6 °C temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser. The receiver-to-drying object temperature difference reached 9.4 °C, ensuring efficient heat transfer. The system reduced moisture content by 55.57 % (with fan) and 38.7 % (without fan), achieving an overall energy efficiency of 22.65 % and 17.13 %, respectively. Exergy efficiency was 7.95 % and 4.4 %, while the drying cost per kilogram was 15.21 USD/kg (with fan) and 15.44 USD/kg (without fan). Beyond food preservation, this system has potential applications in sustainable building environments, particularly in off-grid food processing facilities, decentralized solar-powered kitchens, and urban rooftop drying systems. This study provides a more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and scalable drying solution for the built environment by integrating heat pipe technology into a PTC-based solar oven. Further research should explore integration with energy-efficient building designs and automated tracking mechanisms to optimize system performance. © 2025
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Samudra, Langsa, 24416, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Malikussaleh, Lhokseumawe, 24352, Indonesia; Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, 2007, NSW, Australia
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