The aim of this study was to establish the optimal conditions of distinct factors affecting the performance of a closed solar dryer in drying Gracilaria chilensis, a commercially important red algae. The evaluated factors were algae arrangement (vertical versus horizontal), baffle existence (present versus absent), and air fan use (on versus off). Process productivity was maximized when the algae were arranged horizontally, a baffle was present, and the air fan was turned on. Of these, air fan use was the most important determinant of process performance. This optimized solar dryer system was then compared against the productivity of an open-air system. The solar dryer achieved a greater degree of moisture evaporation than open-air drying (86.1% versus 67.6%, respectively). This result is directly associated with the recorded peaks in air temperature (41.3 °C in the solar dryer versus 21.7 °C outside of the solar dryer). The specific energy consumption required for the optimized solar dryer process was 1.64 kWh/kg, as due to the energy requirements of the air fan and recirculation pump. Solar drying is very effective in drying G. chilensis when parameters are optimized.

这项研究的目的是建立影响封闭式太阳能干燥机在干燥龙须菜中的性能的不同因素的最佳条件，商业上重要的红藻。评估因素为藻类布置（垂直与水平），挡板存在（存在与不存在）以及风扇使用情况（开启与关闭）。当藻类水平放置，有挡板并打开风扇时，过程生产率最高。其中，风扇的使用是过程性能的最重要决定因素。然后将这种优化的太阳能干燥器系统与露天系统的生产率进行了比较。与露天干燥相比，太阳能干燥机的水分蒸发程度更高（分别为86.1％和67.6％）。该结果与记录的空气温度峰值直接相关（太阳能干燥器中为41.3°C，太阳能干燥器中为21.7°C）。优化的太阳能干燥机工艺所需的单位能耗为1。由于风扇和再循环泵的能源需求，因此为64 kWh / kg。太阳能干燥对干燥非常有效优化参数时的G. chilensis。