Advanced Desiccant Cooling System Development. Manufacturing Costs and Application Economics. Topical Report, September 1984-September 1987

摘要

Two types of desiccant cooling systems (DCS's) have been created using a common hardware base: (1) the Total DCS, and (2) the Make-up Air DCS. Each system will find early acceptance in select markets because of favorable economics and attractive technical features. The Total DCS is capable of supplying all of the building's cooling needs, whereas a Make-up Air DCS is intended for replenishing air purged through vents or exhaust hoods. Fast-food and family restaurants are excellent early market opportunities for both units. Manufactured costs have been estimated on a component basis, assuming state-of-the-art fabrication methods and materials. In another approach, a system economic target cost and component target costs were established. Annual operating costs were computed for a small office building, a small retail store, and a fast-food restaurant, for Dallas, Texas; Miami, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; and Washington, D.C., using 1986 energy rates for each city. Combined with the estimated selling prices of the DCS's, simple payback periods were computed. Phoenix and Dallas yielded the best figures, while Washington, D.C. had acceptable paybacks in some circumstances, and payback periods in Miami were generally unsatisfactory. Climate and energy rates were found to have a stronger influence on payback than building application, and the payback period results could be substantially altered by different rates. Peak electric demand charges were found to influence payback periods significantly in favor of DCS's.