Design and an instantaneous experimental analysis of photovoltaic-assisted heat pump dryer for agricultural applications using banana chips

摘要

In this study, a prototype small-scale photovoltaic-assisted heat pump dryer (SSPVAHPD) has been designed for sustainable agricultural applications and tested by drying banana chips. The measurements were performed in real-time, with a data acquisition step of 1 s. This is the first study in the published literature to experimentally determine different drying performance parameters with a data acquisition step of 1 s. The same drying process was performed six times in a row under real ambient conditions to determine the actual system performance. Instantaneous energy performance of both the SSPVAHPD and the heat pump system (HPS) was investigated during the drying period. For the developed drying regime, the average coefficient of performance (COP) was calculated to be 5.338 for the HPS. The instantaneous energy efficiency of the PV system achieved an average of 9.11% and a maximum of 17% depending on solar radiation, ambient temperature, and wind speed. As a result of the experiments, the instantaneous energy efficiency of the SSPVAHPD varied between 11.82 and 95.47%, with an average of 48.46%. The instantaneous specific moisture extraction rate (SMER) under test conditions started at 16.393 kg/kWh and dropped down to 0.041 kg/kWh-an average of 0.45 kg/kWh. Practical Applications This is the first study in the literature to examine the PV-assisted drying process using instant data. In the context of renewable energy use, it has revealed important results for sustainable agricultural practices. It has been demonstrated by the tests that the system can dry with the energy obtained from the sun with high efficiency independent of the grid. In the study, it is possible to use the drying system examined for many different food products, apart from the banana product examined. Drying of perishable products in the field away from the mains may be possible with the system examined. The system can be easily used in the field by positioning it on a mobile vehicle.