Abstract
The drying operation is the most energy-intensive of all technological operations of post-harvest processing of plant agricultural products. Improving the energy efficiency of drying equipment is a top priority in planning and implementing technologies for post-harvest processing of agricultural products, including walnuts. There are a number of ways to increase the efficiency of the drying process, therefore, even at the stage of theoretical and laboratory research, it is important to evaluate the proposed measures and means. Analysis of recent studies and publications shows that the assessment of the efficiency of the drying process was carried out, in most cases, according to two criteria – the coefficient of efficiency and the specific consumption of thermal energy for moisture evaporation. In some cases, along with the energy analysis, the exergetic analysis was also performed. Exergetic analysis allows you to look for ways to increase the efficiency of the drying plant, analyzing the causes of the loss of exergy in the units and substantiating recommendations for improving the cycles of thermal power plants. Laboratory and production tests for drying walnuts were carried out on a convective-vibration dryer. At the same time, the following energy indicators were achieved: the efficiency of the unit was 0.4 with a specific energy consumption for moisture evaporation of 3.91 MJ/kg. In the calculation and design of heat exchangers, including dryers elements of similarity theory are used. In the general theory and practice of heat transfer, including the study of drying processes, about two dozen criteria are used. To assess the effectiveness of the walnut drying process, it is proposed, first of all, to use the criteria of Nusselt and Reynolds. Comparison of similar criteria of two (or more) processes or structural elements can give a decision on the feasibility of using a certain element of the system.
Published Version
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