Multi-Response Design Optimisation of a Combined Fluidised Bed-Infrared Dryer for Terebinth (Pistacia atlantica L.) Fruit Drying Process Based on Energy and Exergy Assessments by Applying RSM-CCD Modelling

The present investigation aimed to perform an optimisation process of the thermodynamic characteristics for terebinth fruit drying under different conditions in a fluidised bed-infrared (FBI) dryer using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) approach. experiments were conducted at three levels air temperature (40, 55, and 70 °C), velocity (0.93, 1.765, 2.60 m/s), infrared power (500, 1000, 1500 W). Energy exergy assessments parameters performed afirst second laws thermodynamics. Minimum energy utilisation, utilisation ratio, loss rate, maximum efficiency, improvement potential sustainability index selected as criteria process. considered surfaces evaluated 20 experimental points. results second-order polynomial model where ANOVA test was applied identify ability optimal operating conditions. showed that all variables had highly significant effect corresponding responses. At 40 °C temperature, m/s velocity, 633.54 W power, desirability 0.670, optimised values 0.036 kJ/s, 0.029, 86.63%, 0.029 1.79 7.36, respectively. models predicted responses R2-values ranging between 0.9254 0.9928, which they good predict these Therefore, this research RSM modelling acceptable success optimising performance addition achieving best