An experimental research on the effect of infrared and carbon fiber film heater integration in heat pump food drying system on drying performance

In this study, a closed-circuit heat pump food drying system was investigated by integrating a 50 W infrared lamp (IR) and a carbon fiber film heater (CFH) into the cabinet to dry 3 mm thick apple slices at 1 m/s air speed and 40℃ temperatures. The study aimed to investigate the differences in drying performance and energy consumption between a typical heat pump drying system (Scenario-I) and an IR and CFH supported heat pump drying system (Scenario-II). The results of the six-hour experiments conducted under laboratory conditions showed that the system reached a steady state 50% faster in Scenario-II and 41 g more moisture was extracted from the products. Furthermore, a 2% decrease in energy consumption and cost caused by the compressor was observed with IR and CFH support. The products that initially weighed 600 g were reduced to 200 g by 28% faster with 25% energy savings in Scenario-II. Finally, it was determined by thermal camera images that the products were dried homogeneously thanks to CFH. Therefore, it has been identified that IR and CFH supported HPD systems are preferable systems in terms of energy saving for low compressor load and fast drying processes.