Ultrasound-assisted vacuum drying of limequat peels and characterization of thermal, morphological and functional properties

Abstract

This work aimed to determine drying behavior and energy consumption of limequat peels dried using ultrasoundassisted vacuum drying (UAVD), vacuum-assisted drying (VAD), oven drying (OD) and vacuum drying (VD), and investigate thermogravimetric decomposition, morphological, elemental and spectral analyses of dried peels with energy efficiency analysis including specific moisture extraction rate (SMER), moisture extraction rate (MER) and specific energy consumption (SEC). The UAVD considerably shortened drying time by 49 %, 34 % and 15 % as compared to the OD, VAD and VD. The highest drying rate was achieved at the UAVD. The effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) values in descending order were UAVD>VD>VAD>OD. Proximate analysis showed that limequat peels dried using the UAVD had the highest fixed carbon (25.35 %) and ash (3.03 %) contents, but the lowest volatile matter (61.68 %). Dried limequat peels exhibited similar thermal decomposition behavior. The UAVD caused porous and rough surface formation, and microchanneling effect. Carbon (>62.56 %) and oxygen (>15.98 %) were the major elements in dried limequat peels. The lowest O/C (0.25) and H/C (0.85) ratios were obtained for the limequat peels dried using the UAVD. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra showed primarily O-H, C-H, C--O, C--C and C-O-C stretching vibrations. The highest SMER (0.0053 kg/kWh) and MER (0.0012 kg/h) values, and the lowest SEC (188.27 kWh/kg) value were determined for the UAVD. In conclusion, the UAVD was found to be the most appropriate drying method for the drying of limequat peels.