ENERGY AND EXERGY ANALYSIS OF A NOVEL THREE-STAGE HEAT PUMP DRYING SYSTEM

Abstract

A three-stage heat pump dryer is analyzed and assessed in terms of energy and exergy performances using different refrigerants such as R134-a, R12, and R22. Many parametric optimization studies are applied for the corresponding system in order to specify the best performing system and environmental parameters. R12 shows the highest energy and exergy efficiencies while requirement of compressor work is low when R12 is used as a refrigerant. The system is not much influenced from the environmental conditions. In addition, the overall system energy and exergy efficiencies are 44.23% and 55.7% for R134-a, respectively.