Experimental investigation of cow dung based organic desiccant for dehumidification in evaporative cooling

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim of this study is to explore the alternate of costly desiccants such as silica gel, zeolite, etc., in the dehumidification process of evaporative cooling and food storage. Therefore, the new cow dung-based novel desiccant (CDND) material has been developed which is very cost effective and readily available organic material. This CDND has been tested experimentally to explore the suitability to replace commercially available desiccants. The experiments were carried out in two stages. First, 100 g of CDND was tested, and the adsorption and desorption characteristics were evaluated. In second stage, 2500 g of CDND in Special Design Pipe (CDNDSDP) is tested to study adsorption and regeneration and how long it takes to attain adsorption equilibrium without regeneration under different inlet air conditions. In the present study, it is found that this novel desiccant is regenerated in only 28 mins and ready for dehumidification processes for next 120 mins, which demonstrates continuous regeneration of CDND is not required. In addition, the regeneration of CDND is found to be 54ºC that is quite significant and can be attained easily using low-grade energy. Further, CDND is organic material and reutilization will help in terms of solid waste management.