Análise termoeconômica e ambiental de um secador por bomba de calor

Abstract

This work presents a methodology for energy, exergy, thermoeconomic and environmental analyses of a heat pump dryer, while also analyzing an experimental prototype based on available data. The analyses are justified by the need to develop sustainable drying techniques, with greater energy efficiency, lower environmental impacts and economic viability. In this context, the heat pump applied to drying purposes appears as an alternative to be taken into consideration. The system was thermodynamically modeled by means of energy and exergy analyses, from evaporation and condensation pressure measurements of the heat pump's refrigeration cycle along with input and output air flows, temperatures and relative humidity measurements for the prototype. Efficiencyies were obtained for the prototype components. Thermoeconomic analysis of the equipment was carried out using the UFS methodology, to allocate exergy and monetary costs associated with the final products of the prototype (condensed water and removal of moisture from the substance to be dehydrated). The thermoeconomic model was adapted to allocate CO2-eq emissions to equipment products. The results obtained were the monetary costs associated with the final products and CO2-eq emissions, evaluated at US$ 0.61 and 0.414 kg CO2-eq per kilogram of condensed water and US$ 0.33 and 0.229 kg CO2-eq per kilogram of moisture removed.