Experimental Analysis and Parametric Study on the Dehumidification System Using Liquid Hybrid Desiccants-A Source of Sustainable Energy

Abstract

The desiccant cooling mechanism is one of the alternate methods to control the air humidity compared to the conventional air conditioning system. An experimental investigation has been carried out in the current research using a hybrid desiccant in a liquid desiccant dehumidification system. Triethylene glycol (TEG) mixed with different proportions of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) has been used as the hybrid desiccants. The performance of the dehumidifier was measured using the parameter moisture removal rate and enthalpy effectiveness. The blends of TEG and MgCl2 gave a better moisture removal rate (MRR) as compared to 100% TEG. The MRR and moisture effectiveness increased with the increasing desiccant flow rate and air flow rate for all of the blend ratios. The blend with 25% MgCl2 and 75% TEG concentration had relatively high MRR and dehumidification effectiveness. The study reveals that if an optimized blend of TEG and MgCl2 is used as the desiccant instead of a neat TEG, it will overcome the high viscosity problems of TEG and become one of the promising candidates for sustainable energy sources.