Optimization on drying conditions of a solar electrohydrodynamic drying system based on desirability concept

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Engineering
• Food Science
• Drying Technology

Background:

• Traditional agricultural product drying methods can be energy-intensive and may degrade product quality.
• Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) offers potential advantages like energy savings, low-cost equipment, and gentle drying conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel solar-powered electrohydrodynamic (EHD) dryer for agricultural products.
• To determine the optimal drying parameters for kiwi fruit using EHD technology.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a solar (photovoltaic) energy-based EHD dryer.
• Application of Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology for optimizing EHD drying of kiwi fruit.
• Utilizing desirability functions for single and multiobjective optimization.

Main Results:

• The optimal EHD drying conditions for kiwi fruit were determined as 15 kV applied voltage, 5.2 kV/cm field strength, no forced air, and 17 discharge electrodes.
• Increased applied voltage (6-15 kV) led to decreased moisture ratio but increased energy efficiency and consumption.
• A field strength of 5.2 kV/cm was identified as optimal for minimizing moisture ratio.

Conclusions:

• Solar-powered EHD drying is a viable and efficient method for agricultural products like kiwi fruit.
• Optimized EHD parameters can significantly improve drying efficiency and product quality while minimizing moisture content.
• This technology presents a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for agricultural product preservation.