Abstract
One of the main challenges in the design and implementation of fluidized desiccant cooling (FDC) systems is increasing their low COP (coefficient of performance). Exergy analysis is one of the tools especially suitable for improvement and optimization of FDC systems. The improvement of performance is impossible as long as the main sources of exergy destruction are not identified and evaluated. In this paper, the exergy analysis was applied in order to identify these components and processes of the FDC system that are mainly responsible for exergy destruction. Moreover, the exergy efficiency of a simple fluidized desiccant cooler was determined. The results showed that fluidized beds and regenerative heat exchanger were the main exergy destruction sources with a 32% and 18% share of total exergy destruction, respectively. On the other hand, the direct evaporative cooler and air cooler placed after the desorbing fluidized bed were characterized by the lowest exergy efficiencies. This work contributes to better understanding of FDC operation principles and improvement of the performance of FDC technology.
Highlights
Increasing global energy consumption and strict policy related to energy efficiency led to intensified R&D works on energy systems powered by renewable or waste energy sources including solid [1,2,3,4,5] and liquid [6,7,8] desiccant cooling systems
Fluidized bed systems are less expensive than desiccant wheel systems [9]
Rogala [1] carried out a theoretical analysis of the effect of the operating parameters of the fluidized beds on the performance of the system and provided recommendations on efficient running of fluidized desiccant cooling (FDC)
Summary
Increasing global energy consumption and strict policy related to energy efficiency led to intensified R&D works on energy systems powered by renewable or waste energy sources including solid [1,2,3,4,5] and liquid [6,7,8] desiccant cooling systems. The application of fluidized beds in solid desiccant cooling systems results in decreased bed pressure drop [3] and improved heat and mass transfer performance [12] in comparison with the packed bed systems. Rogala [1] carried out a theoretical analysis of the effect of the operating parameters of the fluidized beds on the performance of the system and provided recommendations on efficient running of fluidized desiccant cooling (FDC). In the authors’ opinion, the main challenge is to increase the low COP of fluidized desiccant cooling systems, which according to the theoretical investigation presented in [1], unlikely exceeds 0.6. This paper presents the results of the exergy analysis of a fluidized desiccant cooling system. The exergy losses were classified with respect to their origin: exergy losses accompanying heat transfer and exergy losses connected with the flow and related to humidity changes
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