ABSTRACT
For years, heat pumps have been known as an effi cient method of energy recovery. Their ability to convert the latent heat of vapor condensation into sensible heat of an air stream passing through the condenser makes them attractive in drying applications especially when combined with the ability to produce well-controlled drying conditions. For these reasons, heat pump drying has been used for decades in wood kilns to dehumidify air and control lumber quality (Chou and Chua, 2007). Following the general trend to improve product quality and reduce energy consumption, many researchers have acknowledged the specifi c features of heat pumps, which has resulted in the rapid growth of both theoretical and applied research on heat pump drying (Table 15.1).
