Experimental Study on a Hybrid Desiccant Dehumidification and Air Conditioning System

Abstract

This paper presents the experimental tests on hybrid desiccant dehumidification and air conditioning systems. Experimental tests are carried out with LiCl desiccant at typical operative ranges for air conditioning applications, particularly for high humid regions like Hong Kong. Results are reported in terms of coefficient of performance (COP) based on primary energy usage and electrical energy usage, respectively. Experiments have demonstrated consistent reduction in humidity ratio satisfying the sensible as well as latent load through a respective subsystem and thereby resulting in a higher COP based on primary energy usage. Also, results show that the regeneration temperature as well as process air flow rate have a significant role on the system performance. It is found that the hybrid system can achieve a higher part load performance, and hence can assure of its effective operation all year around in hot humid regions.

Performance studies of hybrid solid desiccant–vapor compression air-conditioning system for hot and humid climates

“…Fig. 5 shows a comparison between the simulated results obtained in the current study and the experimental results obtained by Yong et al [5]. It has been observed that system performance in terms of COP increases with the increase in regeneration temperature.…”

“…Desiccant cooling was suggested as supplement to conventional vapor compression cooling or evaporative cooling due to its energy and cost saving in hot and humid environment conditions [4]. Experimental tests on hybrid desiccant dehumidification and air conditioning system have been conducted [5] for Hong Kong, a high humid region. It has been evaluated that the hybrid solid desiccant cooling system achieves a higher part load performance in hot and humid climates.…”

“…67 ω =ω (4) Supply air to the room is obtained by sensible cooling of air during 3-4 in cooling coil, which gives 34 ω =ω (5) Similarly, regeneration air is sensibly heated between 7-8 in an electric heater, giving 78 ω =ω (6) Energy balance between the two air streams in DW gives…”

Second Law Analysis of an Adsorption Air-Conditioning System

“…Desiccant cooling systems were studied experimentally and theoretically by several researchers. In these studies, it was shown that desiccant cooling systems is suitable for hot and humid environment conditions [4][5][6]. Desiccant air-conditioning systems do not use harmful to the environment refrigerants, neither do they consume electrical energy for the cooling process, but thermal energy, in temperature levels that favor the use of solar energy, and more specifically flat plate solar collectors [7].…”

Solar Air-Conditioning Systems

“…Their benefits are meaningful when they interact with renewable energy technologies, such as solar collectors [37,38]. They also reduce moisture from the indoor air and enhance its quality [39][40][41]. For instance, liquid desiccant dehumidification solar systems are used to supply fresh air in humid climate locations using the calcium chloride liquid and a flat-plate solar collector (having an area of 86.16 m 2 ).…”