Energy, exergy, economic and environmental analysis of a solar-driven hollow fibre membrane dehumidification system

Abstract

Solar-driven hollow fibre membrane dehumidification systems are already being used for air dehumidification, as they have the advantage of saving energy and preventing dehumidification solution droplets from entering the process air. Mathematical models of the system were built, which were validated with experimental data. An analysis of energy, exergy, economic and environmental was accomplished. Effects of critical parameters, including the flow rate of air, solution, hot-water and cold-water, and the cold-water temperature on the system's energy and exergy under the design conditions, were investigated theoretically. Economic and environmental aspects of the system were compared with a traditional refrigeration dehumidification system. The energy analysis indicates that the system has a higher coefficient of performance and dehumidification capacity in July and August. The exergy analysis indicates that the exergy efficiency is lower in May, June and July. The economic analysis shows the initial investment in the system is 641.65 $ higher than the traditional refrigeration dehumidification system, and the higher portion would be paid back with electricity savings in 6.08 years. The annual CO2 emissions of the solar-driven hollow fibre membrane dehumidification system is 0.2642 tCO2, which is 68.89% lower than the traditional refrigeration dehumidification system.