Modeling and performance analysis of solar air pretreatment collector/regenerator using liquid desiccant

Abstract

A solar liquid regenerator that embodies energy saving effect is a key part in solar liquid cooling air-conditioning system. Solar air pretreatment liquid collector/regenerator as a novel solar C/R (collector/regenerator) can achieve liquid regeneration in lower temperature, which is suitable to be employed in the high humidity area. The heat and mass transfer process was simulated in the novel liquid regenerator and the conclusions show that the increment of solution outlet concentration increases 70%, regeneration efficiency η z augments 45.7% and storage capacity SC increases 44% as effective solution proportion ESP falls from 100% to 62%. For higher solution outlet concentration needed in the dehumidifier, both lower solution mass flow rate and higher solution inlet concentration all can be adopted in the novel C/R, in which the decrease of effective solution proportion ESP can increase the rate of evaporation G significantly. Along with the augment of air mass flow rate, the rate of evaporation G rises fast firstly and then falls slowly. The simulated results show that there is huge potential of improving and regulating solution regeneration performance by employing the novel C/R.