Experimental performance of a solar thermal liquid desiccant air conditioning system – a review

Abstract

Solar energy has received wide interest globally as a promising energy source. Liquid desiccant air conditioning (LDAC) system using solar energy is proposed as an alternative to the conventional vapor compression systems due to its advantage in, removing the air latent load, friendly to environment, removing of pollutants from the process air, reduction of the electrical energy, do not using the harmful refrigerants and protection to ozone layer depletion. In this paper, the recent works on solar driven liquid desiccant air conditioning system and its advantages are reviewed. The system may offer in terms of energy savings are underscored. A basic description of (LDAC) system is provided. The regeneration temperature and solar collector efficiency are developed and the analysis highlights the performance of the system. The literature review has highlighted that there is a clear need for research in the field of liquid desiccant air conditioning system with solar energy in many buildings. This is due to the patent operational advantages the system can deliver in terms of energy saving from 25 to 50%, operating costs and energy security, the low regeneration temperature < 80°C. It has a low environmental impact since water is used as refrigerant and electrical consumption is limited to the auxiliaries.