Abstract
The performance of open-cycle desiccant cooling systems depends on several factors, some of which can change beyond manufacturers' specifications. For example, the desiccant sorption process may degrade with time on exposure to airborne contaminants and thermal cycling. Desiccant degradation can reduce the performance of a dehumidifier and thus the performance of desiccant cooling systems. Usingcomputer simulations and recent experimental data on silica gel, the impact of degradation was evaluated. Hypothetical degradations of desiccants with Type 1 moderate isotherms were also simulated. Depending on the degree and type of desiccant degradation, the decrease in thermal coefficient of performance (COP) and cooling capacity of the system was 10% to 35%. The 35% loss in systemperformance occurs when desiccant degradation is considered worst case. The simulations showed that the COP, and to a lesser degree the cooling capacity of these degraded systems, could be improved by increasing the rotational speed of the dehumidifier. It is shown that easy engineering solutions might be available for some types of degradations.
Original language | American English |
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Number of pages | 19 |
State | Published - 1990 |
Event | Winter Meeting of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers - New York, New York Duration: 20 Jan 1991 → 23 Jan 1991 |
Conference
Conference | Winter Meeting of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers |
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City | New York, New York |
Period | 20/01/91 → 23/01/91 |
Bibliographical note
Prepared for the Winter Meeting of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 20-23 January 1991, New York, New YorkNREL Publication Number
- NREL/TP-254-3888
Keywords
- adsorption
- air conditioning
- air cooling
- contamination
- dehumidification
- desiccant
- silica gel
- tobacco smoke