Thermo-economic analysis of two stages desiccant supported greenhouse cooling system for orchid cultivation in the tropical and sub-tropical region

摘要

This article presents a thermo-economic analysis of a biomass heating-based two-stage desiccant dehumidifying system for distributed fan-pad evaporative cooled floriculture greenhouse. The proposed system aims to maintain a suitable environmental condition inside the greenhouse for Orchid cultivation in the sub-tropic and tropical regions. The thermal model of the present system has been developed based on the first law and second law of thermodynamics to predict the air temperature inside the greenhouse. The results of the desiccation system have been validated with the results of the reference model with a mean absolute error of 0.14 g/kg and 0.42 degrees C for humidity ratio and temperature of the process air, respectively. A comparative study has been made with the considered reference models for both days long and round the year operations. From the performance analysis of the present system, it is observed that the maximum air temperature inside the greenhouse can be restricted within the specified limits. The COPth of the proposed system is found to vary from a minimum value of 0.54 to a maximum value of 1.02. The payback period of the proposed system is estimated to be 12 years.