Performance evaluation of R-1234yf as alternative to R-22 for date fruit drying machine

Heat pump drying in the food industry is notable for its efficiency and energy savings. When designing a date fruit drying machine, it is crucial to consider heat transfer characteristics and performance, measured by parameters such as the coefficient of performance (COP), specific energy consumption (SEC), and specific moisture extraction rate (SMER). This study compares the performance of R-22 and R-1234yf in terms of energy efficiency and drying capacity for a date drying machine operating at a drying temperature of 60°C to dry 20 kg of dates per hour, under environmental conditions of 26°C. Results show that the machine the COP using R-1234yf is 3.449, slightly lower than R-22’s COP of 3.894, indicating that R-22 is more energy efficient. The specific energy consumption (SEC) with R-1234yf is 0.014 kWh/kg, compared to R-22’s 0.013 kWh/kg, while the specific moisture extraction rate (SMER) for R-22 is 75.216 kg/kWh, higher than that of R-1234yf at 69.614 kg/kWh. These findings suggest that although R-22 has superior efficiency, R-1234yf provides a competitive alternative, especially considering its significantly lower global warming potential (GWP). Thus, R-1234yf is a practical and environmentally friendly choice for date drying applications, supporting the transition towards more sustainable refrigerant options.