Use of dehumidifiers in desiccant cooling and dehumidification systems

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · J. Heat Transfer; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3246990· OSTI ID:5032597

Van den Bulck, E; Mitchell, J W; Klein, S A

The use of rotary dehumidifiers in gas-fired open-cycle desiccant cooling systems is investigated by analyzing the performance of the rotary heat exchanger-rotary dehumidifier subsystem. For a given cooling load, the required regeneration heat supply can be minimized by choosing appropriate values for the regeneration air mass flow rate and the wheel rotation speed. A map is presented showing optimal values for rotational speed and regeneration flow rate as functions of the regeneration air inlet temperature and the process air inlet humidity ratio. This regeneration temperature is further optimized as a function of the process humidity ratio. In the analysis, the control strategy adjusts the process air mass flow rate to provide the required cooling load. Additional control options are considered and the sensitivity of the regeneration heat required to the wheel speed, regeneration air mass flow rate, and inlet temperature is discussed. Experimental data reported in the literature are compared with the analytical results and indicate good agreement.

• Research Organization: University of Wisconsin Solar Energy Laboratory, Madison, WI 53706
• OSTI ID: 5032597
• Journal Information: J. Heat Transfer; (United States), Journal Name: J. Heat Transfer; (United States) Vol. 108:3; ISSN JHTRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
AIR FLOW
COOLING LOAD
COOLING SYSTEMS
DEHUMIDIFIERS
DESICCANTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HEAT EXCHANGERS
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS