Abstract
Performance test of the heat pump in a closed system was carried out to dry shiitake mushroom during autumn and spring seasons under various operating temperatures, air flow rates and evaporator moisture loads. During the performance test, the energy consumption and the air temperature distribution, in the chamber and heat pump unit, were measured and analyzed. The result of the experiments showed that the temperature of the air discharged from the condenser increased as the operating temperature and the evaporator moisture load increased. From the analysis of the obtained data, it was observed that the coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump unit was affected by air relative humidity, air flow rate and operating temperature. The COP decreases as the operating temperature increases under constant relative humidity and air flow rate.
