Drying of chilli with thermoelectric Air preheater assisted low temperature dryer

Abstract

This research objective was to apply thermoelectric module model TEC12710 as a preheater and dehumidifier for red chilies dryer. The heat side and cool side of Thermoelectric module affected by supplied electricity were used to produces the low humidity and warm air in preheater before charging to the main electric heater of dryer. Fresh red chilies were selected as a sample in the prototype testing during the use of preheater assisted main heater and using only main heater. The test results are compared with the sample dried under the natural sun drying. The experimental results show that the preheater can condense the moisture in air with the highest MER of 0.083 kgwaterh-1 at cold side of thermoelectric module and can heat the air up in 10°C of temperature with hot side of thermoelectric module. The final moisture content of sample is only 10%wb with the slightly changed in color when compared with the sample from sun drying. The using of preheater with main heater gives a higher specific moisture extraction rate, lower specific energy consumption, 14 MJ energy used and can dry faster than 10 h when compared with the using of only main heater.