Abstract
The integrated solar drying system essentially consists of two selective flat plate collectors, one of them being black nickel and the other of manganese oxide deposited on galvanized iron sheet. A packed bed solar storage collector also forms a part of the system to supplement the energy required for drying after sun set. The design of the system with the calculation of the power requirement is reported in this paper. Freshly harvested high moisture paddy with an initial moisture content of 22 percent, w. b. was dried to the desirable milling percentage of 14 to 15 percent, w. b. The performance of the selective surfaces were studied to recommend the best one. Mathematical models for the temperature distribution in the pebble bed to optimize the length and depth of the storage system are given. Drying of 100 kg of paddy could be completed in 7 1/2 hours. The total and head rice yields obtained from this drying system were 70 and 65 percent respectively.