Device to Reduce Air-Conditioning Loads by Use of Waste Heat for Dehumidification. Final Report

摘要

Work performed and results obtained during the development of a device to reduce air conditioning loads by use of waste heat from the air conditioner for dehumidification are summarized. The device uses a silica gel desiccant material to dehumidify the air, and the silica gel is regenerated in a rotating drum configuration by use of the waste heat normally rejected by a vapor compression air conditioner. A dehumidifer sized for residential application was designed, built, and tested. A summary of the design of the dehumidifier, the major problems encountered in the design process, a description of the dehumidifier device, and the results of the dehumidifier tests are presented. The tests showed that a dehumidifier could operate on the heat rejected by an air conditioner, and that it could produce a cooling effect. (ERA citation 09:000703)