Optimizing the Performance of Desiccant Beds for Solar-Regenerated Cooling

摘要

Detailed computer simulations as well as a simplified psychrometric analysis are used to determine the increase in cooling system performance that can be realized through the use of nonhomogeneous or staged desiccant beds. A staged bed of four hypothetical desiccants is shown to give a 10% higher cooling capacity than a silica gel bed of the same thickness. Alternatively, the same cooling capacity is produced by a staged bed 37% thinner than the silica gel bed. These effects could be employed to reduce the parasitic power requirements of desiccant cooling systems. (ERA citation 06:020056)