Moisture Removal Research Articles

Design and fabrication of a cloth dryer

The evolution of drying machine came as a necessity against the traditional method of cloth drying using direct energy from the sun. This necessity is due to the evolution of the earth and change in in environmental conditions resulting from the climate change. The cloth drying machines available in the country are majorly imported and expensive and may not be affordable to average Nigerians. To solve this problem, a cloth drying machine that is affordable was designed and fabricated in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria using locally available materials. The dryer consists of the door, drying chamber, heater, fan, 750 Watts geared electric motor, micro-computer temperature sensor, electrical cables, power transmission devices and the frame. The dryer was tested and found suitable for the task it was developed for at an average drying rate of 0.4 to 1.2 g/min. It was observed that there was a significant reduction in weight of the clothes showing effective moisture removal in the drying process. The dryer is recommended for domestic drying of every category of fabrics.

CFD-DEM simulation of distribution and agglomeration characteristics of bendable chain-like biomass particles in a fluidized bed reactor

Biomass is gradually perceived as an important carbon neutral and renewable energy source. Generally, the pretreatment dehydration of non-spherical biomass particles is a crucial process in biomass production. The effectiveness of moisture removal, however, is directly affected by the fluidization characteristics of particles in drying facilities. In this article, the distribution and agglomeration characteristics of chain-like biomass particles in a fluidized bed were studied according to the coupled model through the computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method. Based on the special structural feature of filamentous biomass particles, a new three-dimensional model of bendable chain-like particle was established. The effects of gas superficial velocity and mass flow rate of biomass particle on the distribution and agglomeration characteristics of chain-like biomass particles were experimentally and numerically investigated. The results demonstrated that the chain-like biomass particles were more likely to agglomerate near the wall and corners due to wall effects, with a maximum of 0.11 % of the volume fraction. The distribution of particle concentration showed an inverted C-shape at the lower cross section. Also, the velocity of biomass particles presented as an open downward parabolic distribution in the radial direction and reached a maximum at the central region. The maximum cluster area of chain-like biomass particles was 73.43 cm2 under the condition of ug = 5.71 m/s, appearing in the corners and bottom of the fluidized bed. The band-like clusters transformed into irregular triangular clusters gradually with the increase of the gas velocity. As the particle mass flow rate increased, the particle clusters became larger and extended upward along the tube wall. The results will provide valuable information on the mixing processes of non-spherical particles, as well as guidance for the development and optimization of multi-phase drying plants.

Comparative analysis of the static and dynamic dehumidification performance of metal-organic framework materials

Desiccant-coated heat exchangers (DCHEs) allow the simultaneous removal of adsorption heat and moisture from the incoming process air and support the cause of sustainability through energy recovery and energy efficiency. This study investigated the performance of a solid desiccant material namely, metal-organic framework (MOF-A520), by means of static and dynamic experimental processes. The static experiment revealed that under the same environmental conditions, the adsorption capacity of MOF-A520 is at least 12% better than the adsorption capacity of the traditional Sorbead R desiccant. Additional dynamic experiments were conducted by coating MOF-A520 on an industrial type heat exchanger within a controlled air-tunnel environment. Under the process air temperature of 30 °C, 80% RH and regeneration temperature of 80 °C, the maximum total vapor adsorption amounts (Gvap ), vapor adsorption amounts per unit contact area of fins (GA ), and vapor adsorption per unit mass of MOF-A520 (GD ) attain maximum values of 239.96 g, 0.052469 g/cm2 and 0.67596 g/g, respectively. Overall, with a lower regeneration temperature of 60 °C and shorter desorption time of 20 minutes, MOF-A520 demonstrates its potential as a suitable desiccant material for air conditioning applications.

Justification of the design and regime parameters of a mobile grain dryer

Relevance. Improving the efficiency of grain drying is possible by increasing the intensity of moisture evaporation from the processed material and reducing energy costs. In this regard, the task was set to study a small-sized mobile installation for drying grain, which would meet the requirements of small-scale agricultural production, as well as to substantiate drying modes.Methods. As a result of the analysis of a priori information, as well as taking into account the relevant requirements, the factors that most affect the grain drying process were identified. At the proposed installation, laboratory studies were carried out in the drying mode of wheat of the Moskovskaya 39 variety. During the research, measurements of the corresponding parameters were carried out. A systematic approach was used to generalize the theoretical and experimental results of the study.Results. An installation for drying grain in conditions of small-scale farms is proposed. During the drying process on this installation, the following is ensured: a uniform supply of heated air to the entire area of the grain layer undergoing heat treatment; continuous removal of moisture formed on the surface of the grain. In this paper, expressions are proposed for determining the power required for drying grain and the specific power consumption with a decrease in grain moisture. The studies carried out made it possible to identify the dependences of the specific power consumption and moisture removal on the temperature and speed of the drying agent, drying exposure. The dependences obtained made it possible to establish that this installation, at the optimum temperature of the drying agent of 60 ± 2.5 °C, is adjustable within 8 ± 2.5 W· h/kg·% specific energy consumption and provides 5% moisture removal. The developed installation has operational parameters acceptable for small farms.

Performance characteristics of desiccant rotor using metal organic framework material

A desiccant rotor is often adopted for dehumidification applications, owing to the increased importance of humidity control and energy saving in air conditioning and ventilation systems for buildings. In previous studies, silica gel, zeolite, and silica composites have been widely used in the desiccant rotor. However, it is difficult to further improve the dehumidification performance of a conventional desiccant rotor, owing to the inherent limitations of the desiccant material. In this study, a desiccant rotor using a metal organic framework (MOF) material was proposed and manufactured to improve the dehumidification performance under various operating conditions. The dehumidification and regeneration performance of the MOF desiccant rotor were measured and analyzed by varying the temperature, humidity, volumetric flow rate of the process air, and temperature of the regeneration air. Furthermore, the performance of the MOF desiccant rotor was compared to that of a conventional silica composite desiccant rotor. The MOF desiccant rotor showed 53% lower sensible energy ratio and 139% higher specific moisture removal capacity than the conventional desiccant rotor. In addition, empirical correlations were developed for performance predictions for the MOF desiccant rotor.

Dehumidification performance improvement by using liquid desiccant blends – An experimental study

To minimize global warming and consumption of electricity, a desiccant-based air conditioning system has been proposed as a better alternative to control air humidity, compared to the conventional air conditioning system. In the present study, the performance of the hybrid desiccant was compared with the pure LiBr and KCOOH solution. Blends of LiBr and KCOOH at different weight ratios were used as desiccants. The performance of the system was compared based on its moisture removal rate and dehumidification effectiveness. The performance of the system increased with increasing desiccant flow rate, the concentration of the solute and the airflow rate. From the tested concentrations, the blend of 40% LiBr and 10% KCOOH concentration showed the highest MRR and dehumidification effectiveness among all blends of LiBr and KCOOH. From the study, it can be concluded that by using an optimized blend of LiBr and KCOOH as a desiccant in place of neat LiBr, the limitations of pure LiBr can be partly resolved without sacrificing much on the dehumidification performance.

Pooled analysis on the effects of inclusion, moisture, and oil removal from distillers grains on cattle performance and economic returns in diets with different corn processing.

A synthesis of data including over 9,300 head of cattle and over 980 pen means was conducted to evaluate the effect of corn processing method, distillers grains type, oil removal from distillers, and dietary distillers concentration on cattle performance and total feeding costs under different historical price scenarios. The corn processing method was either steam-flaked corn, high-moisture or dry-rolled corn or a blend of the latter two and their effects on performance with and without distillers grains. Wet, modified, and dry distillers were analyzed as either full fat or de-oiled products in diets at various dietary concentrations with either corn type to determine cattle performance. Performance estimates were used to determine the inclusion level that minimized total finishing costs ($/head) for each diet given various assumptions on corn price, corn-to-distillers price ratio, supplemental protein cost, and steam flake processing cost. Feeding distillers grains in steam-flaked or high-moisture and dry-rolled corn diets resulted in improved feed conversion and reduced cattle feeding costs, including lower supplemental protein costs and lower total feeding costs compared with a diet without distillers. However, feeding diets with steam-flaked corn improved feed conversion regardless of distillers type or level of inclusion. Feeding full fat distillers improved feed conversion relative to de-oiled distillers. Cattle fed de-oiled distillers were more efficient than those fed diets containing no distillers grains. At all corn price and corn-to-distillers price ratios examined, feeding some level of distillers of any type produced a lower total feeding costs relative to a diet without distillers. Different robustness tests were conducted to determine the impact of varying steam flake corn processing costs and the cost of supplemental protein on the optimal level of distillers inclusion level. The break-even cost a producer could pay for steam-flaking corn varied but was significantly higher when corn price was high. Feeding distillers grains in steam-flaked or high-moisture and dry-rolled corn diets resulted in improved feed efficiency, reduced cattle feeding costs, including replacement of other supplemental protein and associated costs compared to a diet without distillers grains.

Use of a Microwave Sensor to Monitor Bulk Density during Grain Drying

Highlights An eighth-scale grain drying system was used to monitor real-time change of bulk density in a bed of wheat during drying. Density was determined from dielectric properties measured by a microwave sensor at the center of the bed. Density was simulated at other locations by modeling heat and mass transfer. Root mean square error (RMSE) when comparing the simulated results to the empirical results at the center of the bed was 0.0054 g/cm3. Abstract. Agricultural commodities such as cereal grains, oilseeds, and nuts are dried before and during storage to minimize, if not prevent, degradation of quality. While drying, heat and mass transfer occur simultaneously resulting in the removal of moisture from the product over time. As the moisture is removed, mass and volume are reduced. Such losses produce shrinkage, and thus, density changes throughout the drying product for the duration of the drying process. Density is an important parameter because it is indicative of other quality parameters such as test weight. It is also critical for operators because it can be used to estimate grain mass in silos, determine resistance to airflow, and predict grain pressure in silos. Despite its usefulness, bulk density is difficult to measure at specific locations within a bed of grain or seed. It can be calculated for small quantities and estimated for large quantities by gravimetric means; however, it has been shown that bulk density varies throughout a bed of grain or seed. Such variances are caused by compaction from upper layers and differences in moisture content. Therefore, an eighth-scale grain drying system was used to observe the real-time change in bulk density within a 153,000-cm3 volume bed of wheat. Bulk density was determined empirically at the center of the volume from dielectric properties measured with a microwave sensor, and it was simulated at other locations by modeling heat and mass transfer. Comparison between the bulk density determined from simulation and that measured empirically at the center of the volume of wheat resulted in a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.0054 g/cm3; thus, the accuracy of the models was confirmed. Real-time knowledge of bulk density at various locations can aid in monitoring the quality of the product being dried and provide essential information concerning the pressure and airflow throughout the entire volume. Keywords: Bulk density, Dielectric properties, Drying modeling, Grain drying, Microwave sensing, Real-time monitoring.

INFLUENCE OF CHITOSAN ON THE QUALITY OF RASPBERRIES DURING REFRIGERATED STORAGE

Raspberries is a perishable berry with a high capacity for mechanical and microbiological damage, therefore, after harvesting, it is necessary to use appropriate technologies to preserve its quality and extend the shelf life. The aim of the research is influence of different concentrations of chitosan solutions on the quality and shelf life of raspberry berries under cooling conditions. Physico-chemical and organoleptic methods of research and methodological principles of collection, accumulation, systematization, analysis, generalization, and synthesis of information were used in the research. Raspberry berries were collected in the consumer stage of ripeness in perforated plastic containers with a capacity of 500 g. Processing of berries was carried out by spraying 0.5 %; 1.0 % and 2.0 % chitosan solution followed by removal of residual moisture. Storage was carried out for twelve days in a refrigerating chamber at a temperature of 2º C and a relative humidity of 95 %. The research was carried out by determining changes in the mass fraction of ascorbic acid, sugars during storage, as well as taste, aroma, color, consistency and appearance at the end of storage. It was established that the treated berries had 1.5–3.9 times less loss of ascorbic acid than in the control sample. A similar situation was observed with the mass fraction of sugars, the content of which prevailed by 0.9–2.5 % in processed raspberry samples. According to organoleptic indicators, samples with a solution concentration of 1.0 % and 2.0 % were recognized as the best. Raspberries not treated with chitosan quickly lost their marketable appearance, taste and aroma. It was found that pre-treatment of berries with chitosan solutions is a promising way to slow down undesirable metabolic processes during storage, which are carried out after harvesting, which practically makes it possible to extend the consumer properties of the product.

Phase transition retrieval through in situ observations

The aim of the investigation is to retrieve phase transitions upon heating moisture-containing materials using available observations of the specimen moisture state. Experimental data processing is treated as an approximation by the class of model functions that satisfy a given differential equation. The problem formulation differs from traditional parameter estimation and function reconstruction problems in that it is based on a relaxing regularization of a complex mathematical object. A given sample approximation is constructed under the condition that the measured data weakly capture changes in the state of an object. Such a case requires a high-resolution method for data processing that ensures the best consistency with observations. Regularization is applied to account for the ill-conditioned discretization of the mathematical model of the phenomenon and to ensure the approximation of a reconstructed function using a high-dimensional mathematical basis. The data processing of three moisture-containing materials demonstrates for the first time that thin-layer drying can involve a series of phase transitions. The latter causes a drop in the drying rate, which prevents moisture removal. Traditional postprocessing of the experimentally determined drying curve and its direct differentiation do not reflect mass transfer blocking and lead to a restricted interpretation of the experimental data. A proposed high-resolution processing of in situ observations, based on the application of the conventional thermal model, yields significant information on latent phenomena.

Performance Comparison of Tray, Bed and Integrated Drying Chamber in Closed Loop Heat Pump Dryer for Bermuda Grass

Drying plays a crucial role in various industries such as food production, agriculture, Siddha, Ayurveda, and medical fields. To achieve controlled drying conditions, a heat pump dryer is considered an effective method, allowing for precise control of parameters like temperature, humidity, and air velocity. In this study, a heat pump dryer was designed and constructed to investigate the drying characteristics of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) at different velocities (1.5 m/s, 2.0 m/s, and 2.5 m/s) using three types of drying chambers: fluidized bed dryer, tray dryer, and combined dryer (a combination of bed and tray). The heat pump system utilized R134a as the refrigerant. The performance of the heat pump dryer in the three drying chambers was analyzed using Bermuda grass as the drying product. The Moisture Removal Rate (MRR) was calculated for various combinations of velocity and drying chamber, and it was observed that the combined dryer achieved a higher MRR at all three velocities compared to the tray and fluidized bed dryers.

Lattice Boltzmann model for freezing of French fries

In this paper we present a Lattice Boltzmann model for food freezing, using the enthalpy method. Simulations are performed using the case study of freezing par-fried french fries. The action of par-frying leads to moisture removal from the crust region, which was treated via the initial conditions for the freezing model. Simulations show that under industrial-relevant freezing conditions, the crust region remains either unfrozen or only partially frozen. This result is important for the practical quality problem of dust, which is the phenomenon of fracturing of the crust during finish-frying.Next to the insight, the Lattice Boltzmann freezing model rendered for the case study of par-fried french fries, we pose that this freezing application is a comprehensive tutorial problem, via which food scientists can be conveniently introduced to the Lattice Boltzmann method. Commonly, the Lattice Boltzmann method has its value in solving complex fluid flow problems, but the complexity of these problems is possibly withholding food scientists to get familiar with the method. Our freezing is solved in 2D, and on a simple square lattice with only 5 particle velocities (a D2Q5 lattice). We hope via this simple tutorial problem, the Lattice Boltzmann method becomes more accessible.

Mathematical modeling of the process of vacuum drying of corn cobs

Purpose. To determine the effect of vacuum on the process of drying corn seeds on the cob using mathematical modeling. Methods. Differential calculus methods were used, in particular, methods for solving differential diffusion equations with time-varying boundary conditions, as well as methods of differential and analytical geometry. The mathematical model was analyzed using graphs constructed by the computer program MathCad 13 from the solutions of differential equations and methods of technical analysis. Results. On the basis of the differential diffusion equation with variable boundary conditions in time, the processes of moisture removal from corn seeds in the cob were described. These processes are described by analytical dependencies that describe the kinetics of drying corn seeds and the entire cob, while taking into account diffusion processes both inside the seed and in the cob core. They are used to construct graphs that describe the dynamics of the moisture field inside a single seed and all the seeds along the cob. They show that the part of the seed that is outside the cob takes the longest to dry. The graphs also show the unevenness of drying along the cob: the ends of the cob dry the fastest, and the middle dries the slowest. Conclusions. The vacuum drying of corn cobs consists of 3 processes that take place in parallel: evaporation of moisture from the end surface of the cob, diffusion of moisture to the outer surface of the cob, and diffusion of moisture from the seed to the cob. The outer part of the seed takes the longest to dry, resulting in a moisture gradient that moves toward the core. Reducing the pressure inside the drying chamber reduces the time for moisture equalization, both over the volume of the seed and along the length of the cob, and increases the drying speed of the cob. To increase the uniformity of drying, the distribution of the heating temperature of the seeds along the length of the cob should correspond to a parabolic relationship with the highest temperature in the middle of the cob length, or it is necessary to divide the cob into parts to reduce the length of the moisture path. Keywords: seeds, moisture diffusion, drying time, moisture evaporation, vacuum, humidity, corn cob, cob, drying kinetics, drying chamber.

Effectiveness of using acoustic oscillations of ultrasonic frequency on the process of removing moisture from porous material

The article presents the results of a study of the ultrasonic drying process which is a promising way to intensify the process of moisture removal at low temperatures. An experimental stand was developed for the research. The stand is an ultrasonic dryer with automatic maintenance of the set temperature. A flexural-oscillating disk radiator was used as a source of ultrasonic action. The conducted studies have shown that changing the speed of the drying agent from 0.1 m/s to 0.2 m/s during convective drying can slightly reduce the drying time from 100 minutes to 90 minutes (10%). Change of the speed of the drying agent from 0.1 m/s to 0.2 m/s allows reducing the drying time by 10 minutes, from 80 minutes to 70 minutes with ultrasonic action. Due to the ultrasonic exposure at a drying agent speed of 0.2 m/s, the drying time is reduced from 90 minutes to 70 minutes. At a drying agent temperature of 400C, the drying time is reduced by 25% due to ultrasonic exposure (from 160 minutes to 120 minutes).

Capillary forces exerted by a water bridge on cellulose nanocrystals: the effect of an external electric field.

Capillary forces play an important role during the dewatering and drying of nanocellulosic materials. Traditional moisture removal techniques, such as heating, have been proved to be deterimental to the properties of these materials and hence, there is a need to develop novel dewatering techniques without affecting the desired properties of materials. It is, therefore, important to explore novel methods for dewatering these high-added-value materials without negatively influencing their properties. In this context, we explore the effect of electric field on the capillary forces developed by a liquid-water bridge between two cellulosic surfaces, which may be formed during the water removal process following its displacement from the interfibrillar spaces. All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to study the influence of an externally applied electric field on the capillary force exerted by a water bridge. Our results suggest that the equilibrium contact angle of water and the capillary force exerted by the water bridge between two nanocellulosic surfaces depend on the magnitude and direction of the externally applied electric fields. Hence, an external electric field can be applied to manipulate the capillary forces between two particles. The close agreement between the capillary forces measured through MD simulations and those calculated through classical equations indicates that, within the range of the electric field applied in this study, Young-Laplace equations can be safely employed to predict the capillary forces between two particles. The present study provides insights into the use of electric fields for drying of nanocellulosic materials.

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Purpose. To determine the effect of vacuum on the process of drying corn seeds on the cob using mathematical modeling. Methods. Differential calculus methods were used, in particular, methods for solving differential diffusion equations with time-varying boundary conditions, as well as methods of differential and analytical geometry. The mathematical model was analyzed using graphs constructed by the computer program MathCad 13 from the solutions of differential equations and methods of technical analysis. Results. On the basis of the differential diffusion equation with variable boundary conditions in time, the processes of moisture removal from corn seeds in the cob were described. These processes are described by analytical dependencies that describe the kinetics of drying corn seeds and the entire cob, while taking into account diffusion processes both inside the seed and in the cob core. They are used to construct graphs that describe the dynamics of the moisture field inside a single seed and all the seeds along the cob. They show that the part of the seed that is outside the cob takes the longest to dry. The graphs also show the unevenness of drying along the cob: the ends of the cob dry the fastest, and the middle dries the slowest. Conclusions. The vacuum drying of corn cobs consists of 3 processes that take place in parallel: evaporation of moisture from the end surface of the cob, diffusion of moisture to the outer surface of the cob, and diffusion of moisture from the seed to the cob. The outer part of the seed takes the longest to dry, resulting in a moisture gradient that moves toward the core. Reducing the pressure inside the drying chamber reduces the time for moisture equalization, both over the volume of the seed and along the length of the cob, and increases the drying speed of the cob. To increase the uniformity of drying, the distribution of the heating temperature of the seeds along the length of the cob should correspond to a parabolic relationship with the highest temperature in the middle of the cob length, or it is necessary to divide the cob into parts to reduce the length of the moisture path. Keywords: seeds, moisture diffusion, drying time, moisture evaporation, vacuum, humidity, corn cob, cob, drying kinetics, drying chamber.

Polymeric Encapsulate of Streptomyces Mycelium Resistant to Dehydration with Air Flow at Room Temperature.

Encapsulation is one of the technologies applied for the formulation of biological control agents. The function of the encapsulating matrix is to protect the biological material from environmental factors, while dehydration allows for its viability to be prolonged. An advantage of dehydrated encapsulation formulations is that they can be stored for long periods. However, vegetative cells require low-stress dehydration processes to prevent their loss of viability. Herein we describe the fabrication of a dehydrated encapsulate of the Streptomyces CDBB1232 mycelium using sodium alginate with a high concentration of mannuronic acid; sodium alginate was added with YGM medium for mycelium protection purposes. The encapsulation was carried out by extrusion, and its dehydration was carried out in a rotating drum fed with air at room temperature (2-10 L min-1). The drying of the capsules under air flows higher than 4 L min-1 led to viability loss of the mycelium. The viability loss can be decreased up to 13% by covering the alginate capsules with gum arabic. Compared to conventional dehydration processes, air moisture removal can be lengthy, but it is a low-cost method with the potential to be scaled.

Microwave Drying Kinetics of Chromium-Rich Electroplating Sludge

Chromium-rich electroplating sludge (CRES) is a hazardous solid waste with a high content of moisture requiring efficient drying before subsequent treatment. In this study, the microwave drying kinetics of CRES were examined. The results showed that CRES had good microwave absorptivity, contributing to a much shorter drying time and better drying performance compared with conventional drying. In comparison with conventional drying at 105 °C, the time of microwave drying at 600 W for total moisture removal was reduced by 98.5%. Compared to load mass and particle size, microwave power played a more important role in microwave drying. Based on the kinetics analysis, the microwave drying process of CRES could be divided into three successive stages, in which the drying rates were limited by external diffusion (before 110 s), both external diffusion and chemical reaction (between 110 s and 160 s), and chemical reaction (after 160 s), respectively. The Danish model was found to have the best fit with the microwave drying process of CRES.

Synergistic Effects of Initial Moisture Content and Particle Size on Drying Rate and Heat Production during Bio-Drying of Sludge after Electro-Dewatering

Electro-dewatered sludge (EDS) can be bio-dried alone, instead of adding bulking agents. The initial moisture content (IMC) and particle size of the electro-dewatered sludge affect the efficiency and energy consumption during the bio-drying process. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of sludge IMC and particle size on the drying rate and heat production of bio-drying with EDS. Experiments were conducted with two different IMC sludge and two different sludge particle sizes. Results showed that the highest moisture removal rate was 43.18% in treatment T4, which had materials with a smaller particle size (<3 mm) and lower IMC (38.69%). And bio-drying of T4 had the highest biological heat production (7413.14 kJ, i.e., 741.31 kJ/kg sludge), and the lowest bio-drying index (the ratio of water loss to volatile solid loss) was 7.10 among the four treatments. Five thin-layer drying kinetic models and a nonlinear regression method were analyzed to estimate the bio-drying kinetic parameters. The Midilli et al. model had a better fitting result, and the highest R2 value was 0.9929 during bio-drying of EDS. The new coefficients k (0.1465) and n (1.0898) were obtained. Through the heat balance, the heat used for evaporation was 40–57% of the total energy consumption (5873–9140 kJ). According to the PCA, the particle size had a great influence on the bio-drying process. Also, the particle size positively correlated with temperature, moisture ratio, and drying rate.

Performance evaluation of a novel multi-tray packed bed solid desiccant dehumidification system.

Configuration of the solid desiccant bed plays a critical role in the development of cost-effective thermally driven desiccant air-conditioning systems. In the present study, a novel multi-tray packed bed solid desiccant dehumidifier (MPBDD) was developed that can be used in conjunction with a traditional vapor-compression system. The proposed configuration aims to achieve high moisture removal from the air and minimize the system power consumption. A lab-scale test rig was designed, fabricated, and tested under different operation conditions. The effect of the inlet humidity, temperature, and flow velocity on the system performance has been experimentally investigated. Experimental results show that the proposed configuration exhibited an adsorption capacity of about 27% higher than that of the conventional systems. Moreover, the pressure drop through the newly designed desiccant bed was found to be 87% lower than that of the conventional wheel design. A dimensionless number called Total Performance Factor (TPF) was defined to be the ratio of heat dissipated for desiccant to pumping energy expended overcoming pressure drop in the device. It was found that in certain experiments it attained an average value of around 250. In this regard, the present study is critical for achieving high dehumidification capacity as well as energy savings in air conditioning applications.