Performance analysis of a solar energy drying system in conjunction with air source heat pump

A novel solar energy drying system in conjunction with air source heat pump (SEDS-ASHP) was developed to avoid limitation of sole solar drying system. The SEDS-ASHP was put into experimental operation successfully. The performances of the SEDS-ASHP were tested and analyzed. Test results showed that, under the climatic conditions of daily solar radiation being about 15.3 to 21.6 MJ/m2, the solar air collector's daily efficiency is about 0.343 to 0.534. For the air source heat pump unit, the average COP (coefficient of performance) varies within the range of 2.52 to 3.61. Compared with conventional electric dryer, the SEDS-ASHP is energy-saving device.