The present study was designed to determine the effect of different tray thickness which is 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 cm in the adsorption and regeneration processes. Each size of the desiccant tray is tested the adsorption/regeneration performances in a wind tunnel. The parameters related such as the tray thickness, the air velocity and the air moisture content including the air temperature are also examined for both adsorption and desorption modes of operation. The experimental models are developed to design a desiccant unit of bed-type longan dryer. The following conclusions can be drawn as follows:
The adsorption and regeneration rate are highly effected by the tray thickness
The performance of adsorption and regeneration processes are depended on the inlet temperature, mass flow rate and inlet humidity of air stream.
The energy saving of longan dryer using desiccant tray depends on the number of tray and replacement period. Increase the number of trays or reduce the replacement period leads to increase the energy saving.