Numerical simulation of optimal inlet air temperature of a forced convective fish cabinet rotary dryer

Emmanuel Obiani Akari; Ibrahim Ademola  Fetuga; Olabode Thomas  Olakoyejo; Manasseh Babale  Shitta; Omotayo Oluwatusin; Joshua Kolawole  Gbegudu; Antonio Marcos de Oliveira Siqueira

doi:10.18540/jcecvl8iss4pp14157-01e

Authors

Emmanuel Obiani Akari University of Lagos
Ibrahim Ademola Fetuga Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1943-4234
Olabode Thomas Olakoyejo Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9942-1339
Manasseh Babale Shitta National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Omotayo Oluwatusin Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9942-1339
Joshua Kolawole Gbegudu Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2417-2520
Antonio Marcos de Oliveira Siqueira Federal University of Viçosa - UFV https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9334-0394

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18540/jcecvl8iss4pp14157-01e

Keywords:

Computational Fluid Dynamics. Cabinet Rotary Dryer. Drying rate. ANSYS CFX. Inlet air temperature.

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics was applied in the prediction of the effect of inlet temperature on the drying time of fish in a cabinet rotary dryer. On completion of the simulation, the temperature distribution of the air (fluid domain) within the drier at different inlet air temperatures and time intervals was obtained. Inlet air temperatures ranging from 35^oC to 55^oC was simulated for a time interval of 10 minutes to 120 minutes so as to examine the influence of inlet temperature on the drying process of fish. Based on this temperature range, it was observed that the ideal drying time for the fish which satisfies the condition for efficient fish drying for all five inlet air temperatures of the fish is 70 minutes. Furthermore, it can be observed that it takes about 120 minutes for the inlet air temperature of 50 degrees Celsius to attain a cabinet drying temperature of 316K (43°C) while it takes only 70 minutes for the inlet air temperature of 55 degrees Celsius to attain the same temperature under the same condition.