Summary
A coupled model of solar chimney airflow and cocoa bean drying, implemented in MATLAB from established thermosiphon and drying formulations, is used to design a passive dryer for small producers in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Prototype tests broadly agreed with predictions, though the model underestimated drying because it ignores outside wind, and the design saves 648.63 COP of energy per kg of water removed compared with a forced-convection dryer.
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