Kokou GNRONFOU^{1, 2}, Tchamye Tcha-Esso BOROZE^{1, 3,}, Essohouna TAKOUGNADI^{1, 2}

Solar drying is a sustainable post-harvest technique for maize valorization in tropical regions, but its performance strongly depends on thermal stability and solar radiation variability. This study presents the modeling and experimental validation of a solar greenhouse dryer, developed using coupled heat and mass balance equations expressed in matrix form. Simulations were compared with experimental data obtained from an instrumented prototype during three consecutive drying days. A strong agreement was found between simulated and measured values (MAE < 5°C; R² > 0.98). Internal air temperatures (45-57°C) ensured uniform evaporation, reaching a hygroscopic equilibrium moisture content of 10% within two days. The average thermal efficiency was 8.81%, indicating effective solar energy utilization. The obtained results confirm the relevance of solar-biomass coupling in stabilizing the drying process, improving energy efficiency, and maintaining the quality of dried maize under tropical climates.

solar drying, maize, greenhouse dryer, thermal performance, energy efficiency, tropical climate