Desiccant systems save money
Desiccant systems can save the Navy money through lower utility bills. Traditional vapor compression air conditioning systems are required to remove both sensible heat and latent heat (humidity) by cooling the outside air below the dewpoint in order to condense out water vapor. In some cases the air is then required to be reheated to a comfortable level. This requires large amounts of electricity at peak billing rates. Desiccant systems, on the other hand, use a desiccant to remove moisture from the outside air prior to cooling the air using traditional chillers. The desiccant is then reactivated using natural gas heat. This will shift up to 40 percent of the cooling load of the building to natural gas which in many areas of the country is cheaper than electricity, especially during the peak hours in the summer. It also eliminates inefficient reheating and in most cases the temperature of the building can be raised since dry air is more comfortable at higher temperatures than humid air. Many buildings also require special humidity control which is most effectively and efficiently met using a desiccant system. These buildings include hospitals, commissaries, avionics rooms, BOQ`s and BEQ`s, etc.
- Research Organization:
- Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center, Port Hueneme, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 445758
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-317982/7/XAB; NFESC-TDS-2031-EU; TRN: 70490204
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Oct 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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