Application of Phase Change Materials (PCM) in Solar Greenhouse Drying Systems

Erkin Juraev; Akbar Halimov; Anvar Khudaynazarov; Liu Yingjie; Yu Rong; Jaloliddin Ishanov

doi:10.2991/978-94-6239-668-5_6

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Application of Phase Change Materials (PCM) in Solar Greenhouse Drying Systems

Authors

Erkin Juraev¹^{, 2}^{, *}, Akbar Halimov², Anvar Khudaynazarov¹, Liu Yingjie³, Yu Rong¹^{, 2}^{, 3}, Jaloliddin Ishanov¹

¹National Institute Renewable Energy Sources under Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, 100084, 2B, Chingiz Aytmatov st., Tashkent, Uzbekistan

²Physical – technical institute, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, 100084, 2B, Chingiz Aytmatov st., Tashkent, Uzbekistan

³College of Energy and Power Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, No. 49 Aimin Street, Xincheng District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 010051, China

^*Corresponding author. Email: ejuraev@gmail.com

Corresponding Author

Erkin Juraev

Available Online 14 May 2026.

DOI: 10.2991/978-94-6239-668-5_6 How to use a DOI?
Keywords: Phase Change Materials; Solar Greenhouse Dryers; Thermal Energy Storage; Drying Efficiency; Agricultural Products
Abstract: This study explores the integration of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in solar greenhouse drying systems to enhance thermal stability, extend drying periods, and improve overall efficiency. Solar greenhouse dryers, while sustainable, suffer from temperature fluctuations due to intermittent solar radiation, leading to inconsistent drying quality for agricultural products like fruits, vegetables, and herbs. PCMs, such as paraffin wax or salt hydrates, absorb latent heat during melting and release it during solidification, maintaining optimal drying temperatures (40–60℃) even after sunset.

The methodology involves a review of experimental setups, including PCM-embedded walls, floors, or collectors in greenhouse dryers, combined with simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for heat transfer analysis. Key results from literature indicate that PCM integration reduces peak drying temperatures by up to 14.8℃, prolongs efficient operation by 3–7.5 hours, and boosts energy efficiency by 15–41.5% compared to conventional systems. For instance, paraffin-based PCMs in mixed-mode dryers reduced moisture content in peppers by 95% in 30 hours versus 75 hours in open-sun drying.

Challenges include PCM cost, corrosion in inorganic types, and low thermal conductivity, addressed through nano-additives like Al2O3 for 20–50% conductivity enhancement. Conclusions highlight PCMs’ potential for sustainable agriculture, with recommendations for hybrid systems combining PCM with photovoltaic-thermal collectors for year-round operation in varying climates. Future work should focus on bio-based PCMs for eco-friendly applications.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access: Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title: Proceedings of the International Conference on Current Problems in Engineering and Applied Sciences (ICCPEAS 2025)
Series: Advances in Engineering Research
Publication Date: 14 May 2026
ISBN: 978-94-6239-668-5
ISSN: 2352-5401
DOI: 10.2991/978-94-6239-668-5_6 How to use a DOI?
Open Access: Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

ris enw bib

TY  - CONF
AU  - Erkin Juraev
AU  - Akbar Halimov
AU  - Anvar Khudaynazarov
AU  - Liu Yingjie
AU  - Yu Rong
AU  - Jaloliddin Ishanov
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/14
TI  - Application of Phase Change Materials (PCM) in Solar Greenhouse Drying Systems
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Current Problems in Engineering and Applied Sciences (ICCPEAS 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 40
EP  - 50
SN  - 2352-5401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-668-5_6
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-668-5_6
ID  - Juraev2026
ER  -

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