PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF BIOMASS DRYER WITH WASTE HEAT RECOVERY UNIT FOR DRYING PIRANDAI

This study presents the performance evaluation of a biomass dryer integrated with a waste heat recovery (WHR) unit for drying Pirandai (Cissus quadrangularis), a medicinally valuable plant widely used in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. The dryer was designed to operate with locally available biomass as the primary energy source, while the waste heat recovery system was incorporated to enhance thermal efficiency and reduce overall energy consumption. Experimental trials were conducted to assess drying rate, moisture reduction, thermal efficiency, and specific energy consumption under varying operating conditions. The results indicated that the integration of WHR significantly improved the drying performance, with an average increase in thermal efficiency of 18–22% compared to conventional biomass drying systems. The moisture content of Pirandai was successfully reduced from an initial value of 75% (wet basis) to a safe storage level of 10% within 6 hours of drying. The specific energy consumption was reduced by approximately 20–25 %, highlighting the economic and environmental advantages of the system. Overall, the study demonstrates that biomass dryers coupled with waste heat recovery units provide a sustainable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient solution for drying medicinal plants such as Pirandai, contributing to value addition and post-harvest preservation.