A Honey Dehydrator Working at Atmospheric Pressure Using a Heat Pump Incorporated with a Falling Film Evaporator
摘要
This study aims to evaluate the performance of a honey dehydrator system that combines a heat pump with a falling film evaporator, with the specific objectives of achieving enhanced energy efficiency and reducing the moisture content of honey to meet export standards. Various temperature modes of drying air, ranging from 40 to 55 °C with a 5 °C interval, were systematically examined, and the optimal values were determined based on considerations of the moisture extraction capacity with respect to energy consumption. The optimized temperature mode of 50 °C was subsequently employed for the dehydration process of a batch of honey. The moisture content of honey has been reduced from initial value of 22.0–15.5% in batch and the last drops of honey have a moisture content of 12.0%, thereby satisfying the desired specifications required for exportation.