In this paper a simplified approach will be used to carry out the
exergy analysis of the process, using the mono-dimensional model
of Velardi and Barresi (2008) to describe ice sublimation in the
product, and a simple model to describe the dynamics of water vapor
(and of the inert gas, in case controlled leakage is used to regulate
chamber pressure) in the freeze-dryer. The goal of the study
is to merge the results obtained through the design space of the
process, with those obtained from the exergy analysis. As a lot of
calculations are required, due to the fact that it is necessary to repeat
the exergy analysis for all the potential values of Tfluid and Pc
that could be used to carry out the process, the time required by
the calculations is an important issue, and the use of simplified
models is mandatory. Nevertheless, care must be paid when doing
simplifying assumptions as they can significantly affect the accuracy
of the results.