Research Article

Influence of Duct Configurations on the Performance of Solar-Assisted Heat Pump Dryer for Drying Tobacco Leaves

Table 1

Equipment accessories.

S/NEquipmentSpecificationFunction

1ThermocouplesModel: T-type
Max measuring temperature: 120°C and above
To measure temperatures (ambient, drying , inlet and outlet of evaporator, collector, and inlet and outlet of condenser)
2AC Digital Display Power Monitor MeterVoltage: 80~260 VAC rated current
Power: 100 A, 22 kW
Operating frequencies: 45–65 Hz
To measure the voltage, rated power, and frequency
3FST200 Digital RS4850 10 V 0–5 V, Wind Speed Sensor Anemometer Data LoggerModel: FST200-201+211
Operating wind speed range: 0.5~50 m/s
To measure the air speed inside the drying chamber
421CFR Part11 Compliant USB Temperature and Humidity Data Logger Recorder with Free SoftwareModel: EL-21CFR-2-LCD
Operating temperature range: from −35 to +80°C
Relative humidity range: 0–100%
Measuring temperature and relative humidity inside the drying chamber
5Pressure gaugeModel: CLASSES I.6 made by the XMK CompanyUsed to measure the pressure in the high-pressure side and low-pressure side
6Weight balanceMX1925Measuring the weight of tobacco leaves in the drying chamber
7Danfoss reciprocating compressor4 HP (MTZ36GJ5EVE, LR70 A thermal protect, low-pressure side is 22.6 bar, and high-pressure side is 29.4 bar)Used for circulating refrigerant in the heat pump system
8Expansion valveR134a Danfoss (TEN2 R134a, 068Z3348, -40/+10°C/-40/+50°F)Used as refrigerant control in a system
9Condenser4 HP with dimension with two adjustable fans of 175 W, 0.75 A, and 1335 rpmUsed to condense the refrigerant vapor to liquid and for heating air entering the drying chamber
10Evaporator4 HP with the size of Used as a heat absorption part in the system when the refrigerant passed through at low temperature and pressure
11Refrigerant R134a13.6 kgUsed as the refrigerant in the heat pump system
12Solar power meterSM206Used to measure solar irradiance
13Fans175 W, 0.75 A, and 1335 rpm and 186 W and 0.88 AUsed to circulate air in the system