Testing The Heat Distribution of Flat Plate Type Solar Collectors for LPG Solar Hybrid Dryers at P4S Bukit Melintang

Abstract

One of the uses of solar energy in agriculture is as a source of heat energy for dryers. Through the Kedaireka 2023 Matching Fund (MF) activity and in collaboration with the Independent Rural Agricultural Training Center (P4S) of Bukit Melintang, Sidrap Regency to develop a hybrid solar and LPG dryer. Thermal energy from the sun is obtained from a flat plate-type solar collector system. This research aims to obtain a flat plate-type solar collector system as an alternative heat source for hybrid dryers. The research was carried out to test the functional tool and determine its performance in converting solar energy into heat that can be used for drying equipment. The results of tests carried out on October 22, 2023, from 10.25 AM to 13.35 PM at the Agricultural Engineering Study Program, Hasanuddin University, with coordinates -5.131048, 119.485434 showed that the average environmental temperature was 36.5 °C, the highest temperature in the solar collector outlet was 57 °C which occurred at 11.15 – 11.40. and experienced a decrease in temperature until 13.35 to the lowest temperature of 42.5 °C. This shows that the solar collector can increase the temperature from 60 to 20.5 °C.