Thermodynamic behavior with cost predictions of residential desiccant-cooling systems

Thesis/Dissertation · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5258749

Waugaman, D G

Finite-difference methods are used to model a rotating desiccant wheel,and results are used to compile functional relations describing the desiccant-air-moisture behavior. Computer programs are written to simulate cooling cycles and, combined with the desiccant wheel, functional relations to determine an effective practical cycle to be used in a cooling-season simulation for a 1500 ft/sup 2/ house in Houston, Texas. The chosen cycle uses an indirect evaporative cooler, a direct evaporative cooler, and one heat exchanger. A code is also developed to simulate flat-plate solar collectors and thermal rockbed behavior for regeneration of the desiccant wheel. An hour-by-hour, five-month cooling-season simulation is performed using the National Climatic Center weather and solar data tapes for Houston. The simulation results in a cooling-season, thermal coefficient of performance (COP) of 1.73. Comparing this system to a low-efficiency conventional vapor-compressions system, a cost analysis shows that such a system would have a payback of about nine years if used without the solar circuit. If used with a solar circuit that provided significant energy savings, it would probably never pay for itself at current energy costs.

• Research Organization: Texas A and M Univ., College Station (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5258749
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
42 ENGINEERING
14 SOLAR ENERGY
COOLING SYSTEMS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DESICCANTS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
COST ESTIMATION
ENERGY CONSERVATION
FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD
PAYBACK PERIOD
BUILDINGS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
ITERATIVE METHODS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
SIMULATION
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
320106* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Building Equipment- (1987-)
420400 - Engineering- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
140901 - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling