Exergetic and techno‐economic analysis of Moroccan horehound leaves (Marrubium vulgare L.) in forced convection solar and microwave drying

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze solar and microwave drying of Horehound leaves (Marrubium vulgare) from an exergetic point of view. Solar drying tests in forced convection were performed at airflow rates (150 and 300 m 3 /h) and air-drying temperatures (60°C, 70°C, and 80°C), where the microwave tests were performed in microwave powers ranging from 50 to 450 kW. Four performance parameters were investigated: exergy of evaporation, exergy loss, and exergy efficiency, sustainability index, and the improvement potential rate of the drying chamber and drying process. The results show that the exergy efficiency increases with the increase of aerothermal conditions. Exegetic performances essentially depend on the drying air temperatures and the airflow rates. The exergy efficiency of the drying process is higher than that of the drying chamber. The drying characteristics of Horehound leaves treated under microwave irradiation is a crucial process to predict its moisture content design so as to optimize the drying process. The exergetic analysis presented in this manuscript shows an improvement in the sustainability index of the drying processes and the reducing

Microwave drying of yerba mate leaves: kinetics modeling and techno-economic analysis

“…Alternative drying techniques for YML have been exploited, but according to (TOMASI et al, 2021), the microwave assisted drying (MWD) is the most promising method, for it preserves the most the green color on the leaves and is efficient on the maintenance of the bioactive compounds. Studies on the MWD of other leaves have also presented it as a propitious technique, once it promotes higher drying rates, and consequently shorter drying times, better quality for the dried leaves and lower energy consumption (BAHAMMOU et al, 2022;KUSUMA;IZZAH;LINGGAJATI, 2023).…”