Exergy and Energy Analyses of Microwave Dryer for Cantaloupe Slice and Prediction of Thermodynamic Parameters Using ANN and ANFIS Algorithms

Abstract

The study targeted towards drying of cantaloupe slices with various thicknesses in a microwave dryer. The experiments were carried out at three microwave powers of 180, 360, and 540 W and three thicknesses of 2, 4, and 6 mm for cantaloupe drying, and the weight variations were determined. Artificial neural networks (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) were exploited to investigate energy and exergy indices of cantaloupe drying using various afore-mentioned input parameters. The results indicated that a rise in microwave power and a decline in sample thickness can significantly decrease the specific energy consumption (SEC), energy loss, exergy loss, and improvement potential (probability level of 5%). The mean SEC, energy efficiency, energy loss, thermal efficiency, dryer efficiency, exergy efficiency, exergy loss, improvement potential, and sustainability index ranged in 10.48–25.92 MJ/kg water, 16.11–47.24%, 2.65–11.24 MJ/kg water, 7.02–36.46%, 12.36–42.70%, 11.25–38.89%, 3–12.2 MJ/kg water, 1.88–10.83 MJ/kg water, and 1.12–1.63, respectively. Based on the results, the use of higher microwave powers for drying thinner samples can improve the thermodynamic performance of the process. The ANFIS model offers a more accurate forecast of energy and exergy indices of cantaloupe drying compare to ANN model.