Thermoelectric Heat Pump (TE) Drying System Simulation And Performance Analysis For Tomatoes

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to preserve and dry the tomato crop to keep it for a long time and be easy to preserve, transport, and maintain its quality. By manufacturing a fast-drying and continuous drying chamber that preserves the tomatoes' quality and their nutrient. The effect of using Peltier in drying tomato slices was investigated at three thicknesses (0.5, 1 and 1.5 cm), on some thermodynamic parameters (Drying rate, Energy consumption for dried sliced tomato (ET), Specific energy consumption (Esp), Specific energy consumption (SEC) and Energy Efficiency ( ) and chemical characterization of tomato (lycopene, β – carotene and antioxidant activity) under using four air velocities (0.5, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 cm) at three-outlet fan area of (20, 40 and 60 cm²). A Simulation analysis using ANSYS was done to study the distribution of drying airflow inside the drying chamber in different cases (when no fans are used, with a fan at the outlet only, with only two small fans inside the drying chamber, and with a fan at the outlet and two small fans inside the drying chamber at different air velocities (0.5, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 m s^-1) and different fan outlet areas (20, 40 and 60 cm²). Experimental data showed that the energy consumption varied between 0.42 and 2.49 kWh; whereas (E_sp) varied between 0.43 kWh kg^-1 of initial mass and 2.54 kWh kg^-1 of initial mass, and SEC varied between 0.57 kWh kg^-1 of moisture removed and 6.26 kWh kg^-1. Energy efficiency (η_E) of sliced tomato samples ranged between . The maximum η_E value was obtained at 0.5 cm slice thickness, 0.5 m s^-1 and 20 cm² outlet fan area treatment combination. The maximum values of lycopene contents and β-carotene was (52.46 mg/100 gm and 93.35 mg/100 gm) respectively at a slice thickness of 0.5 cm and 0.5 m s^-1 air velocity, and 20 cm² fan outlet area. The maximum antioxidant value was 30.37 % at a tomato slice thickness of 1.5 cm and air velocity (2.5 m s^-1) at a fan outlet area of 60 cm²