This experimental research was to test a performance of flat-plate solar collectors using biodiesel as a working solution with a solar thermal system. The purposes were to promote a biodiesel use as an alternative fuel for higher efficient heat energy and as an added renewable energy for a production process and to provide a guideline in education and for development in the future. The experiment was to test a performance of flat sheet solar collectors using ASHRAE STANDARD 93-2003 and to test a thermal potential of 12 litres by volume of biodiesel in a 2 m2 flat- plate solar collector used as heat source of the system. Thus biodiesel was used as a working solution with a flow rate of 2.4 litre per minute and the test duration was between 09:00 am. and 03:00 pm. The result revealed the performance values of the flat-plate solar collector used in this experiment as FR( ) = 0.958 and FRUL = 15.02 W/m2K. The temperature of biodiesel in the solar thermal system increased from 33๐C to approximately 80-90๐C varied with solar radiation values. However; the mentioned degrees could be efficiently applied in biodiesel production process as a main heat source or a supplemental heat source depending on appropriate variables.

This research aims to study the effect of drying temperature on the changes in the moisture content of charcoal briquettes undergoing drying of solar energy and far-infrared radiation (Solar+FIR) and far-infrared radiation (FIR). The electricity consumption and the specific energy consumption were also investigated. The coconut shell charcoal briquettes with the initial moisture content of about 41-43% MW were dried at 55 60 and 65oC until the final moisture content of 8% MW was obtained. Based on the experimental results it was found that the drying temperatures and the drying methods had effects on the changes in the moisture content of charcoal briquettes. Drying at high temperature could reduce the moisture content of charcoal briquettes faster than that at low temperature. Drying using FIR could reduce the moisture content of charcoal briquettes faster than that using Solar+FIR. Moreover the electricity consumption and the specific energy consumption decreased with an increase in the drying temperature. Drying using Solar+FIR had lower electricity consumption but had higher specific energy consumption than drying using FIR. In this study the charcoal briquettes had the average heating value of about 6667.05 cal/g.