Abstract
In this study, experimental apparatus of desiccant dehumidification was developed at lab-scale, using silica gel as a desiccant material. Experimental data were obtained at various ambient air conditions, while focusing the climatic conditions of Multan (Pakistan). A steady-state analysis approach for the desiccant dehumidification process was used, and thereby the slope of desiccant dehumidification line on psychrometric chart (ϕ*) was determined. It has been found that ϕ* = 0.22 in case of silica gel which is lower than the hydrophilic polymeric sorbent, i.e., ϕ* = 0.31. The study proposed two kinds of systems, i.e., (i) standalone desiccant air-conditioning (DAC) and (ii) Maisotsenko-cycle-assisted desiccant air-conditioning (M-DAC) systems. In addition, two kinds of desiccant material (i.e., silica gel and hydrophilic polymeric sorbent) were investigated from the thermodynamic point of view for both system types, using the experimental data and associated results. The study aimed to determine the optimum air-conditioning (AC) system type, as well as adsorbent material for building AC application. In this regard, perspectives of dehumidification capacity, cooling capacity, and thermal coefficient of performance (COP) are taken into consideration. According to the results, hydrophilic polymeric sorbent gave a higher performance, as compared to silica gel. In case of both systems, the performance was improved with the addition of Maisotsenko cycle evaporative cooling unit. The maximum thermal COP was achieved by using a polymer-based M-DAC system, i.e., 0.47 at 70 °C regeneration temperature.
Highlights
Air-conditioning systems (ACS) are mainly used to maintain a comfortable/favorable zone in a controlled environment by manipulating temperature and relative humidity
The desiccant dehumidification performance on an experimental basis was inspected for different processes and regeneration air conditions
The current study concentrates on two types of AC systems that involve a (i) standalone desiccant air-conditioning (DAC)
Summary
Air-conditioning systems (ACS) are mainly used to maintain a comfortable/favorable zone in a controlled environment by manipulating temperature and relative humidity. Heating, cooling, humidification–dehumidification and ventilation are some of the modes of the ACS which correspond to the climatic conditions and the required application of air-conditioning (AC) [1]. Different AC applications require particular ranges of temperature and relative humidity [3,4,5,6]. Vapor compression air-conditioning (VCAC) systems are used to condition the environment, which primarily use hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as refrigerant, endorsing environmental degradation and high energy consumption [3]. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems consume 50% of the entire building energy [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
