By: Mehrab Lahijany

Abstract

Desiccant dehumidification technology provides a method of drying air before it enters a conditioned space. When combined with conventional vapor compression systems, desiccant dehumidification systems are a cost-effective means of supplying cool, dry, filtered air. In the last decade, desiccant dehumidification technology has emerged as an alternative or as a supplement to conventional vapor compression systems for cooling and conditioning air in commercial and institutional buildings. A typical hybrid system combines a desiccant system with a conventional vapor compression cooling system.

Desiccant-based systems are cost-effective because they use low-grade thermal sources to remove moisture from the air. In general, the benefits of desiccant-based systems are greater where the thermal energy required for regenerating the desiccant is readily available, the electricity price is high, and the latent load fraction is high (>25%). If there is no difference in energy costs, the factors that influence the economy include climate conditions (humidity's) and high outdoor-air requirements. In other situations, the important variables that drive the economics should be carefully evaluated. There are, however, a few applications where the technology's benefits have been so extensively demonstrated that no detailed analysis is required: textile storage and manufactures spaces.

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About the Author:

Author is Master of science in mechanical engineering &lrm

Originally Published In New Cloth Market: March 2010