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This article deals with the exergy analysis and evaluation of broccoli in three different drying systems. The effects of drying air temperature on the exergy destruction, exergy efficiency, and exergetic improvement potential of the drying process were investigated. The exergy destruction rate for the drying chamber increased with the rise in the drying air temperature at 1.5 m/s, both in the tray and the heat pump dryer. The highest exergy efficiency value was obtained as 90.86% in the fluid bed dryer in comparison to the other two drying systems and the improvement potential rate was the highest in the heat pump dryer during drying of broccoli at the drying air temperature of 45°C and the drying air velocity of 1.0 m/s. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC., TÜBİTAK project no: 106M482

In this study, plum slices were dried in a heat pump dryer designed and constructed in Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. Drying experiments were carried out at an air temperature range of 45-55°C. The performance of the dryer along with its main components were evaluated using an exergy analysis method. Exergy destruction and capital cost rates were used for the exergoeconomic analysis, which is based on the quantities exergy, cost, energy, and mass (EXCEM) method. Exergy destruction rates to capital cost values Rex were obtained to vary between 1.668 and 2.063 W/ USD at different drying air temperatures. Ren values were observed to range from 6.258 to 5.749 W/USD. Ren values decreased as the drying air temperature increased, contrary to Rex values. Ṙex and Ṙen values increased linearly with increasing temperature due to the loss, whereas Ṙen decreased due to the relatively higher energy utilization efficiency of the heat pump. In the compressor, Ṙen and Ṙex values decreased with the increase in the temperature contrary to the other components. Ṙex had the lowest value in the drying duct. However, in the compressor, expansion valve, and heat recovery, Ṙex values were found to be higher and should be improved in these units. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC., TÜBİTAK project no. 106M482

Although drying takes a significant part of the total energy usage in industry, currently available drying technology is often not efficient in terms of energy consumption. Generally, the energy efficiency for drying processes ranges between 20-60% depending on the dryer type and product to be dried. This research focuses on the development of single and multistage zeolite drying combined with heat recovery unit to enhance the energy efficiency. The evaluation using steady state and two dimensional model showed that for single stage system the energy efficiency can reach 70-75% and it increases corresponding to the stage number. For 2-3 stages, the energy efficiency 80-90% can be achieved. The experimental work using single stage zeolite dryer also showed that the energy efficiency is close to conceptual approach. Based on the impressive results, a number of potential options have been formulated to construct the zeolite dryer in continuous operating systems for industrial application.