Dynamic Performance Evaluation of Single Bed Desiccant Dehumidification System

Abstract

In the present work, experimental investigation on the dynamic performance of sealed and less maintenance vertical packed porous bed desiccant dehumidification system has been carried out. The desiccant bed operates as an adsorber and then operates as a regenerator intermittently. In the experimental part of this investigation, silica gel is applied as the desiccant material. Hot air from an air heater is blown through the bed using an air blower in the regeneration process. System performance at different conditions of flowing air is demonstrated. The experimental tests were carried out at different conditions of inlet air and initial bed parameters. Temperature and humidity of air at inlet and exit of the bed were measured. The obtained results show that air with inlet humidity ranging from 5.067 to 10.04 g/kg could be dehumidified, using silica gel, to a lower level of humidity (0.7754 g/kg). The relation between the studied parameters on the adsorption processes is correlated. Results show that the ''Rehabilitation period" in adsorption process could be eliminated if air mass flow rate is greater than 1.92 kg/hr per kg of silica gel.