A Review on Solar Drying Applications Using Latent Heat as Energy Storage Media

Solar energy may be considered as the most feasible renewable energy source with a wide range of applications in today’s world. A suitable energy storage medium, capable of storing and supplying this energy as per requirement provides for an effective thermal management of solar energy devices. Latent heat storage systems have gained significant attention from researchers and academicians due to its higher storage density and smaller temperature difference between storing and releasing heat as compared to sensible heat storage. This chapter attempts to summarize the previous work carried out in solar drying applications implementing phase change materials as latent heat energy storage medium. It is concluded that such materials are capable of reducing the heat losses associated with solar dryers and significantly increase its efficiency.