Parametric study of the cyclic behaviour of a hygroscopic matrix in a desiccant airflow system

Abstract

The study of the transport phenomena in desiccant airflow systems has been addressed in numerous research works, some of them concerning combined processes of cooling, dehumidification and energy recovery. In this paper a detailed numerical model is used to simulate the behaviour of a parallel-plate channel, cyclically exposed to two airflows with different inlet conditions, the plate being composed by a substrate and a desiccant porous layer. The modelled channel is considered to be representative of a real channel of a hygroscopic matrix that is operating at steady state regime, like it occurs in desiccant or enthalpy rotors. The numerical results are treated in order to represent the global behaviour of the hygroscopic rotor under steady state conditions. Results of a parametric study are presented as maps of isovalues of the heat and mass transfer rates and of the outlet states of both airflows, considering channels of distinct wall thickness, of different thickness of the desiccant and the subtract layers, together with wide ranges of the rotation speed and of the wheel partition. The mapped results presented provide an overview of the operation characteristics of hygroscopic rotors, allowing a quick determination of the optimum range of values for relevant parameters, such as the rotation speed and the wheel partition. The model is thus an interesting tool for design and manufacture purposes of enthalpy and desiccant wheels.