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Research Article

Drying kinetics of nectarine slices in a heat pump drying system

ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon & ORCID Icon
Pages 1686-1700 | Received 22 Sep 2023, Accepted 08 Dec 2023, Published online: 21 Jan 2024
 

ABSTRACT

This study focused on investigating the drying behaviors of nectarine slices under varying drying temperatures (Tdrying) through the utilization of energy and exergy analysis methodologies, alongside an exploration of the drying kinetics employing diverse mathematical models. The drying process was carried out using a closed-type heat pump drying (HPD) system. The findings revealed a reduction in drying time with an increase in temperature. Notably, the condenser, compressor, and drying cabinet exhibited their highest exergy efficiencies at a Tdrying of 45 °C, while the evaporator demonstrated its highest exergy efficiency at 35 °C. The highest exergy efficiencies were achieved at a Tdrying of 45 °C and calculated as 65.94%, 77.95% and 80.53% for the condenser, dryer and compressor, respectively. Among the considered models, Aghbashlo et al. demonstrated the most optimal fit for moisture ratio. The Deff values ranged from 5.476 × 10−10 to 1.095 × 10−9 m2/s within the Tdrying range of 35 to 45 °C. As the Tdrying elevated, the Deff also raised. Using an Arrhenius-type equation, the expression for the temperature dependence of Deff was established. The determined activation energy value for moisture diffusion was 56.50 kJ/mol.

Nomenclatures

COP=

Coefficient of Performance

W˙comp=

Power consumption of compressor, kW

Q˙cd=

heat delivered rate in condenser, kW

W˙f=

Power consumption of fan, kW

m˙a=

mass flow rate (air, kg/s)

m˙r=

mass flow rate (refrigerant, kg/s)

A=

surface area (m2)

ρ=

density of air (kgm−3)

υ=

air speed (m/s)

Cpam=

specific heat of moist air (kJ/kg−1K−1)

Cpa=

specific heat of dry air (kJ/kg−1K−1)

Cpv=

specific heat of water vapor air (kJ/kg−1K−1)

ωa=

specific humidity of air (kJkg−1)

P0=

athmosperic pressure (kPa)

T0=

dead state temperature (K)

H0=

dead state relative humidity (%)

TA=

condenser outlet air temperature/dryer inlet air temperature (K)

TB=

dryer outlet air temperature (K)

TC=

evaporator inlet air temperature (K)

TD=

evaporator outlet air temperature (K)

TE=

condenser inlet air temperature (K)

hA=

specific enthalpy (condenser air outlet, kJkg−1)

hB=

specific enthalpy (dryer air outlet, kJkg−1)

hC=

Specific enthalpy (evaporator air inlet, kJkg−1)

hD=

Specific enthalpy (evaporator air outlet, kJkg−1)

hE=

Specific enthalpy (internal condenser air inlet, kJkg−1)

Ƞ=

efficiency

Deff=

effective moisture diffusivity (m2/s)

L=

half-thickness of samples (s)

Mt=

moisture content

M0=

initial moisture content

Me=

moisture content at equilibrium (kg water/kg dry matter)

RMSE=

root mean square error

χ=

reduced chi-square

R2=

coefficient of determination

t=

Time (s)

MRexp,i=

Experimental dimensionless moisture ratio

MRpre,i=

Predicted dimensionless moisture ratios

N=

Number of observations

Subscripts=
a=

Air

r=

Refrigerant

h=

Enthalpy

comp=

Compressor

f=

Fan

hp=

Heat pump

sys=

System

HPD=

Heat pump drying

total=

Total

loss=

loss

dry=

dryer

in=

Inlet

out=

outlet

cd=

condenser

ev=

evaporator

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cüneyt Tunçkal

Cüneyt Tunçkal is an Associate Professor at Yalova University, Yalova Vocational School, Electric and Energy Department. He is mainly engaged in energy and exergy analysis, heat pump drying systems, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, ejector, drying Technologies.

Mehmet Direk

Mehmet Direk is an Associate Professor at Yalova University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Energy Systems Engineering. His main areas of study are energy and exergy analysis, thermal systems, refrigeration systems, heat pump systems, ejectors and automotive air conditioning systems.

İ̇brahim Doymaz

Dr. İbrahim Doymaz is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey. He received his doctorate from Yildiz Technical University in 1998. His research area includes food preservation methods, drying technologies and coal technology. He has published 125 articles in Web of Science so far and his h-index is 41.

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