Heat pump type drying apparatus drying apparatus and drying method

A heat pump type drying apparatus comprising:

• a heat pump having a compressor, a radiator, an expansion mechanism and an evaporator connected via pipes through which a refrigerant is circulated;
• a drying air flow path operable to introduce drying air heated by said radiator to a subject to be dried, dehumidify the drying air which has been introduced to the subject by using said evaporator, and heat the dehumidified drying air to return it into the drying air;
• and
• a bypass circuit through which a portion of the drying air heated by said radiator flows to said evaporator without coming into contact with the subject to be dried.

A drying method for drying a subject located within a circuit, said drying method comprising:

• dehumidifying and heating air to obtain drying air having a high temperature and low moisture;
• passing a portion of the drying air through the circuit to bring the portion of the drying air into contact with the subject;
• passing another portion of the drying air through a bypass circuit, the bypass circuit being arranged to avoid the another portion of the drying air from coming into contact with the subject;
• and
• mixing the portion of the drying air brought into contact with the subject and the another portion of the air passed through the bypass circuit to obtain the air.