http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJMET 259 editor@iaeme.com International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJM ) ET Volume 10, Issue 11, November 2019, pp. 259-274, Article ID: IJM _1 11_023 ET 0_ Available online at http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET?Volume=10&Issue=11 ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359 © IAEME Publication COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS IN SOLAR DRYING Johannes P. Angula and Freddie Inambao* Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9922-5434 *Corresponding Author E mail: inambaof@ukzn.ac.za ABSTRACT Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is an exceptional modeling method which is used for accurately predicting and solving complex fluid flow regimes. It is used in many engineering applications including food processing. In food processing CFD can be used in designing, analyzing and improving the performances of solar dryers in order to enhance product quality. An understanding of the drying phenomena is crucial in the dehydration and preservation of food products. With increasing advances in solar drying technologies, modern computers can be equipped with modeling software that conveniently allows drying systems to be improved. The appropriate use of CFD in modeling and simulating solar drying systems has been applied by many researchers and research is ongoing. This paper presents the underlying principles of CFD, the advantages and disadvantages of using CFD, and the recent works that have been carried out. The paper focuses on the application of CFD in solar drying of food product and identifies potential areas of improvements s, for further research. Keywords: CFD, Solar Drying, Modelling, Simulation, Costs, Performance Cite this Article: Johannes P. Angula and Freddie Inambao, Computational Fluid Dynamics in Solar Drying. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology 10(11), 2019, pp. 259-274. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET?Volume=10&Issue=11 1. INTRODUCTION Drying is one of the most crucial practices food processing and ensures that food products in are safely preserved. It is used for a wide variety of products ranging from low moisture products (e.g. corn), to intermediate moisture products (e.g. coffee), to high moisture products (e.g. fruit) [2, 3]. The use of solar energy has gained popularity in food drying applications due to the ongoing reduction in natural resources, high natural fuel costs, and environment damage [1]. It is also found to be one of the most inexpensive and economical methods of food drying which is pollution free and easy to control [2]. Since at least 1976 different designs of dryers, particularly those incorporating solar energy, have been studied by various researchers to assess their performance [4, 5]. Studies confirm that solar dryer performance is