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Title: Sorption and desorption characteristics of a packed bed of clay-CaCl{sub 2} desiccant particles

Journal Article · · Solar Energy
;  [1]
  1. Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science, Dalhousie University, P.O. Box 1000, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)

Desiccants can be used in conjunction with solar energy to provide a viable alternative to traditional air conditioning techniques. A desiccant consisting of clay and calcium chloride was developed and tested using multiple sorption and desorption cycles. During sorption, inlet air temperatures from 23 to 36 C with corresponding relative humidities of 42-66% were tested. Additionally, superficial air velocities from 0.17 to 0.85 m/s were tested. During desorption, inlet air temperatures from 50 to 57 C and superficial air velocities of approximately 0.30 and 0.60 m/s were tested. A regression equation was determined for the mass of water sorbed by the clay-CaCl2 desiccant with a R{sup 2} value of 0.917. The desorption data was regressed to an exponential function and significant k-values were determined. An equation for pressure drop through the desiccant was determined and compared to existing models. The desiccant was found to perform well during the repeated test cycles though small masses of desiccant were lost due to surface disintegration of the desiccant spheres. (author)

OSTI ID:
21227419
Journal Information:
Solar Energy, Vol. 83, Issue 10; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved; ISSN 0038-092X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English