Investigating the Kinetics, Energy and Exergy of Drying Apple slices Using Infrared Radiation

Evaluating energy and exergy can help to optimize the amount of energy consumption in dryers. In this research, apple slices were dried using infrared radiation, and then the energy and exergy of this process were analyzed. For conducting the experiments, apple slices, in two thicknesses of 5 and 10 mm, were prepared and dried using two air mass velocities of 0.006 and 0.012 kg/s and under infrared radiation. The drying time varied from 90 to 130 minutes. Experimental data were fitted to three mathematical models. A logarithmic type model with coefficient determination of 0.99 was the best fit for drying apple slices data.  The results of energy and exergy analysis showed that the amount of energy consumption, energy efficiency, the amount of exergy consumed and its efficiency decrease in all treatments. The value of energy efficiency changed between 0.09 and 0.42 and exergy efficiency between 0.01 and 0.81 in different stages indicating that a large amount of energy consumed in dryer, leaves the system unused.