Solar assisted CaCl₂ desiccant wheel rotor system for simultaneous cooling and dehumidification operation: experimental and modelling approach

Abstract

High temperature and humidity of many reason of India in the summer season is the major challenge for human comfort also in the drying. In the present work, experiments have been performed to examine the cooling and dehumidification process in the summer season for human comfort and industrial application with the help of calcium chloride (CaCl2) based desiccant material solid desiccant wheel integrated with solar heating arrangements. In this study experimental findings are also evaluated by the mathematical model. During the dehumidification of air in the process unit humidity changes from 17.75 to 29.03 g H2O/kg dry air to 2.8–3.9, 6.8–8.15, 8.92–10.9 & 9.79–11.87 g H2O/kg dry air for flow rate at 1, 2, 3 & 4 m/s, respectively. The process air outlet temperature is increased in the range of 2.58–3.53 K for all air flow rates. After humidification of process outlet air, human comfort condition (HCC) is produced with temperature and humidity in the range of 30–33 °C and 7.77–12.47 g H2O/kg dry air for different air flow rates. Overall airflow for velocity 2–4 m/s can be recommended for the HCC condition. The proposed modelled expression indicates less than 10 % error between the actual and modelled value for different sections.