Impact of a combined MCHP ‐solar dryer on barberry: Energy, exergy, and quality properties analysis

Abstract Drying is a critical yet energy‐intensive stage in agricultural processing. This research investigates the integration of a solar dryer with a micro‐combined heat and power (MCHP) system for waste heat recovery, designed to regulate temperature and enhance energy efficiency for drying barberries. The findings revealed that at an air velocity of 1.5 m/s, total phenol content initially increased by 3% as the temperature rose to 60°C, reaching a peak value of 84.6 mg GAE/g. However, further temperature increases (60 to 70°C) resulted in a 6% reduction in phenol content. Anthocyanin levels were 26% and 53.7% higher at 50°C than at 60 and 70°C, respectively, at the same air velocity. Antioxidant activity was enhanced by 11% and 9% at 70°C compared to 50 and 60°C, respectively. Optimal drying conditions were identified at an inlet air temperature of 65°C and a velocity of 1.5 m/s, yielding an energy efficiency of 21%, an exergy efficiency of 59%, a drying time of 143 minutes, a phenol content of 83 mgGAE/g, an anthocyanin content of 60 mg/g, and antioxidant activity (IC 50 of 59 μg/mL). These results establish the combined MCHP‐solar dryer as a promising approach for sustainable drying.