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<p>In the industrial drying of lemons, a critical balance must be achieved between processing speed and preservation of heat-sensitive compounds. This study experimentally investigated two operational modes of a desiccant wheel—regeneration hot air (HRA, ≈ 70&#xa0;°C, 8%) and process dry air (DPA, ≈ 45&#xa0;°C, 10%) —by concurrently evaluating energy efficiency and product quality. The results indicated that HRA accelerated the drying process to 195&#xa0;min compared to 600&#xa0;min for the DPA and initially demonstrated higher thermal efficiency. However, it incurred greater specific energy consumption (HRA ≈ (2.76) kWh·kg⁻¹; DPA ≈ (2.42) kWh·kg⁻¹) and led to more pronounced degradation of heat-sensitive compounds. Although DPA operates at a lower thermal intensity, it distributes useful exergy more uniformly and better preserves the functional qualities of the peel: it retains more polyphenols (DPA ≈ 36.93&#xa0;mg GAE/g DM vs. HRA 27.45&#xa0;mg GAE/g DM), exhibits higher flavonoid content (1.16&#xa0;mg EC/g DM vs. 0.43&#xa0;mg EC/g DM), demonstrates stronger antioxidant activity (lower IC₅₀: 44 vs. 53), appears to maintain color more effectively (lower ΔE : 9.7 vs. 18.45 for the pulp), and may help preserve cellular features as suggested by FTIR analysis. From a practical perspective, strategies such as implementing a stopping criterion (e.g., η &lt; 1% or Q<sub>u</sub> &lt; 5% of the peak) or combining brief HRA treatment with DPA for final drying could potentially reduce energy consumption ; however, these approaches were not directly tested in the present study and should be considered as possible considerations rather than confirmed recommendations. Based on our findings, it is suggested that DPA may be more appropriate when product quality is prioritized, whereas HRA could be more suitable when productivity is the primary concern. Further techno-economic analysis and large-scale validation are required to ascertain the cost-benefit balance.</p>

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Thorough evaluation of lemon slice drying using a desiccant wheel: analyzing energy efficiency and product quality in relation to process and regeneration airflows

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月1日

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  • Douja Sellami,
  • Sami Kooli,
  • Saber Chemkhi

摘要

In the industrial drying of lemons, a critical balance must be achieved between processing speed and preservation of heat-sensitive compounds. This study experimentally investigated two operational modes of a desiccant wheel—regeneration hot air (HRA, ≈ 70 °C, 8%) and process dry air (DPA, ≈ 45 °C, 10%) —by concurrently evaluating energy efficiency and product quality. The results indicated that HRA accelerated the drying process to 195 min compared to 600 min for the DPA and initially demonstrated higher thermal efficiency. However, it incurred greater specific energy consumption (HRA ≈ (2.76) kWh·kg⁻¹; DPA ≈ (2.42) kWh·kg⁻¹) and led to more pronounced degradation of heat-sensitive compounds. Although DPA operates at a lower thermal intensity, it distributes useful exergy more uniformly and better preserves the functional qualities of the peel: it retains more polyphenols (DPA ≈ 36.93 mg GAE/g DM vs. HRA 27.45 mg GAE/g DM), exhibits higher flavonoid content (1.16 mg EC/g DM vs. 0.43 mg EC/g DM), demonstrates stronger antioxidant activity (lower IC₅₀: 44 vs. 53), appears to maintain color more effectively (lower ΔE : 9.7 vs. 18.45 for the pulp), and may help preserve cellular features as suggested by FTIR analysis. From a practical perspective, strategies such as implementing a stopping criterion (e.g., η < 1% or Qu < 5% of the peak) or combining brief HRA treatment with DPA for final drying could potentially reduce energy consumption ; however, these approaches were not directly tested in the present study and should be considered as possible considerations rather than confirmed recommendations. Based on our findings, it is suggested that DPA may be more appropriate when product quality is prioritized, whereas HRA could be more suitable when productivity is the primary concern. Further techno-economic analysis and large-scale validation are required to ascertain the cost-benefit balance.