Factors influencing solar drying performance of the red algae Gracilaria chilensis

The aim of this study was to establish the optimal conditions of distinct factors affecting the performance of a closed solar dryer in drying Gracilaria chilensis, a commercially important red algae. The evaluated factors were algae arrangement (vertical versus horizontal), baffle existence (present versus absent), and air fan use (on versus off). Process productivity was maximized when the algae were arranged horizontally, a baffle was present,...