DEVELOPMENT OF DRYING KINETICS OF BITTER GOURD SLICES (Momordica charantia L.) IN A COMBINED HEAT PUMP-HOT WATER SOLAR SYSTEM

Abstract

In this study, the drying of sliced bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) at
low temperature in a heat pump system combined with solar hot water was
studied. Due to the role of heat pump and hot water from solar energy, the
drying process can be operated at low temperature, high drying speed while
still maintaining the quality of dried products such as vitamins, proteins, and
colors. Experiments with pre-drying time using solar hot water system (for 1,
2 and 3 hours) and then continuing drying with heat pump system with
different thicknesses of sliced bitter gourd slices (2mm, 4mm and 6mm) at the
same temperature was conducted to find effective operating conditions. The
kinetic model for drying sliced bitter gourd in a heat pump combined with
solar hot water was then proposed to optimize the drying process.