Dynamic performance of packed-bed dehumidifiers: experimental results from the SERI desiccant test loop

Technical Report · Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5054176· OSTI ID:5054176

Kutscher, C F; Barlow, R S

Discussed are the design and construction of a desiccant test loop and results of tests with a silica-gel-packed bed. The test loop consists of two centrifugal fans, two duct heaters, a steam humidifier, 24.4m (80 ft) of 30-cm (12-in.) circular duct, instrumentation, and a test section. The loop is capable of testing adsorption and desorption modes at flow rates up to 0.340 kg/s (600 scfm) and at regeneration temperatures up to 120/sup 0/C (248/sup 0/F). Tests of a 74-cm(29-in.)-diameter, 3.2-cm(1.25-in.)-thick silica gel bed indicated that mass transfer occurs more readily in the adsorption direction than in the desorption direction. Pressure drop data indicated that the resistance of each of the two screens that hold the silica gel in place was equivalent to 2.5-cm(1-in.) of silica gel due to plugging. Results of the tests were also used to validate a SERI desiccant computer model, DESSIM.

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Inst. (SERI), Golden, CO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-77CH00178
• OSTI ID: 5054176
• Report Number(s): SERI/TR-253-1429; ON: DE82021968
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR AIR CONDITIONERS
DESICCANTS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
ADSORPTION
COMPUTER CODES
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DEHUMIDIFIERS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HUMIDITY
PACKED BED
PRESSURE DROP
PSYCHROMETRY
SILICA GEL
SOLAR REGENERATORS
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
TIME DEPENDENCE
VALIDATION
ADSORBENTS
AIR CONDITIONERS
DATA
EQUIPMENT
HYGROMETRY
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
REGENERATORS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SORPTION
TESTING
DESSICANTS
SOLAR ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
140901* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling