Transient mass transfer in parallel passage dehumidifiers with and without solid side resistance

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Heat Transfer (Transcations of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), Series C); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3250765· OSTI ID:7107701

Chuah, Y K; Norton, P; Kreith, F ^[1]

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1. Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, CO 80401 (US)

Desiccant dehumidifiers have been used in industrial and commerical processes to provide air of lower relative humidity than can be achieved readily with vapor compression equipment. Parallel passage rotary wheel regenerators with silica gel on the passage walls are used as dehumidifiers for air-conditioning applications. This study presents an investigation of transient mass transfer in a parallel passage dehumidifier with a thin layer of silica gel on the passage walls. A two-film resistance model was used to approximate the overall transfer resistance between the process air and the solid desiccant. Isothermal transient mass transfer experiments using parallel passages with silica gel coated walls were conducted and analyzed. It was found that the two-film model agrees with the experimental results within the experimental accuracy. Although only silica gel was used in this study, the results may be extended to other solid desiccants.

• OSTI ID: 7107701
• Journal Information: Journal of Heat Transfer (Transcations of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), Series C); (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Heat Transfer (Transcations of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), Series C); (USA) Vol. 111:4; ISSN 0022-1481; ISSN JHTRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
ADSORBENTS
DEHUMIDIFIERS
DESICCANTS
ISOTHERMAL PROCESSES
MASS TRANSFER
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SILICA GEL
TESTING
TRANSIENTS