Potential saving in energy using combined heat and power technology for drying agricultural products (banana slices)

The drying behavior of banana slices was studied in a combined heat and power dryer system at 4 engine load levels (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and at three levels of drying product thickness (3, 5, and 7 mm) with the constant airflow velocity of 1 m/s. Results from the mathematical modeling showed that the Midilli et al. model gave the best fit to the experimental data. The present study confirms the importance of heat recovery to improve the system energy consumption and efficiency. Energy efficiency of this dryer was from 11% to 20% higher than that of electricity efficiency. Also, the specific energy consumption varied between 409 and 957 kWh/kgwater. The lowest value of energy consumption and highest value of energy efficiency were observed at 75% engine load and 3 mm thickness of sample.