A proposed method of bubble absorption-based deep dehumidification using the ionic liquid for low-humidity industrial environments with experimental performance

Abstract

Liquid desiccant deep dehumidification (LDDD) is an excellent way to achieve low-carbon transformation of low-humidity industrial buildings. Currently, it is essential to improve its ability to produce lower humidity air (i.e., with a dew point below −10 °C). Functional ionic liquids (ILs) with extremely low vapor pressure, non-crystallization, and non-corrosion are ideal substitutes for high mass fraction aqueous inorganic solutions (e.g., LiCl, LiBr) in traditional liquid desiccant deep dehumidification. Meanwhile, the bubble absorption mode allows water vapor to condense on the huge contact surface between the bubbles and desiccant. Accordingly, it is expected to solve the low wettability and transfer unit number (NTUm) in falling-film absorption mode caused by the high viscosity of ILs. Thus, a new method of bubble absorption-based deep dehumidification using the IL is proposed. To validate it, the bubble absorption-based deep dehumidifier using a novel ionic liquid (BADD-IL) is developed and tested under different operating conditions. Besides, its moisture effectiveness is compared with those of falling film absorption-based dehumidifiers. The results show that increasing the liquid height, superficial velocity, as well as lowering the solution temperature, can strengthen the deep dehumidification performance, effectiveness and cooling ability to varying degrees. The increase of liquid height and superficial velocity promotes the gas-liquid interfacial area from different aspects, thus enhancing the transfer efficiency. Notably, the insufficient interfacial areas caused by low solution temperature cannot prevent better transfer efficiency dominated by high potential difference. Moreover, the NTUm of BADD-IL has a wide adjustment range (0.1–1.7), and the minimum supply air humidity ratio and maximum moisture effectiveness can reach 1.1 g/kgda and 81%, respectively. In overall, this study aims to further explore the deep dehumidification potential of ILs, and inform ideas for the LDDD development.