Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Analysis of a desiccant aided evaporative cooling system

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5333823
The typically humid climate of the southeastern portion of the United States is not amenable to present evaporative cooling systems. This study seeks to develop a system that would include drying the humid air (by using a desiccant) for efficient use in the evaporative cooler. The analysis employs a high efficiency desiccant that could be regenerated by solar energy and uses designs engaging an indoor comfort range technique instead of a design-point to achieve realistic optimum systems. The simulated results compare well with three previously constructed prototypes and the study also provides a design, operation, and sensitivity analysis for a residential cooling example. Finally, based on energy consumption, a comparison between typical vapor compression air conditioners and this desiccant aided evaporative cooling system is made. Results indicate that the evaporative system consumes less total energy.
Research Organization:
Clemson Univ., SC (USA)
OSTI ID:
5333823
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English