Effect of axial solid heat conduction and mass diffusion in a rotary heat and mass regenerator

Abstract

This research analyzes the effect of axial heat conduction and mass diffusion on the performance of a solid desiccant wheel. A one-dimensional transient heat and mass transfer model which contains four nonlinear partial differential equations is developed. The equations are solved using a full-implicit finite-difference thod. A limiting case with a zero solid diffusion resistance is considered. Three different regeneration temperatures, namely 26, 50 and 85 C, are considered. The parameter, ( λ 4 2 Ntu/Bi), is found to be the most important factor governing the axial heat conduction and mass diffusion effect.