EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF A DESICCANT-BASED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR A FLOWER GREENHOUSE

摘要

This paper presents an experimental comparative analysis between an innovative desiccantbasedrnand a traditional air conditioning system for a flower greenhouse in winter season.rnThe innovative air conditioning system based on H2O-LiCl desiccant consists of a dehumidificationrnunit in which the conditioned air is dehumidified by the strong desiccant solution andrna regeneration unit in which the weak desiccant solution heated up by hot water is regeneratedrnby scavenger air evolving in closed loop. A heat recovery is performed on the desiccant regenerationrnprocess. An auxiliary radiator driven by hot water completes the sensible heatrnneeds of the greenhouse.rnIn the traditional system the thermo-hygrometric control has been carried out by ventilationrnwith outside air (latent load) and a radiator driven by hot water (sensible load).rnTwo identical flower greenhouses working near Bergamo (Italy) have been equipped with arntraditional and an innovative air conditioning system respectively.rnThe experimental comparison shows a 10% average primary energy saving for the desiccantbasedrnsystem with respect to the traditional one in the winter season. In addition, because thernsanitising effect of desiccant and a more effective control of the humidity inside the greenhouse,rnthe innovative system ensures also a consistent reduction in the use of pesticides withrnrelevant economical and environmental advantages.