Performance of the SERI parallel-passage dehumidifer

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6149370· OSTI ID:6149370

Schlepp, D.; Barlow, R.

The key component in improving the performance of solar desiccant cooling systems is the dehumidifier. A parallel-passage geometry for the desiccant dehumidifier has been identified as meeting key criteria of low pressure drop, high mass transfer efficiency, and compact size. An experimental program to build and test a small-scale prototype of this design was undertaken in FY 1982, and the results are presented in this report. Computer models to predict the adsorption/desorption behavior of desiccant dehumidifiers were updated to take into account the geometry of the bed and predict potential system performance using the new component design. The parallel-passage design proved to have high mass transfer effectiveness and low pressure drop over a wide range of test conditions typical of desiccant cooling system operation. The prototype dehumidifier averaged 93% effectiveness at pressure drops of less than 50 Pa at design point conditions. Predictions of system performance using models validated with the experimental data indicate that system thermal coefficients of performance (COPs) of 1.0 to 1.2 and electrical COPs above 8.5 are possible using this design.

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• OSTI ID: 6149370
• Report Number(s): SERI/TR-252-1951; ON: DE85000509
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
ADSORBENTS
ADSORPTION
CONSTRUCTION
DEHUMIDIFIERS
DESICCANTS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
GEOMETRY
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICS
PERFORMANCE
PRESSURE DROP
SILICA GEL
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SORPTION
TESTING