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A novel 3D simulation model for investigating liquid desiccant dehumidification performance based on CFD technology

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  • Tao, Wen
  • Yimo, Luo
  • Lin, Lu

Abstract

Previous 2D CFD simulation models fail to elaborate the actual simultaneous flow and dehumidification process in liquid desiccant cooling system. Accordingly, the present study successfully developed a novel 3D simulation model for investigating the liquid desiccant dehumidification performance of a falling film dehumidifier. The penetration mass transfer model was implemented in the simulation to account for the interfacial dehumidification process. Experimental system was built for the model validation and the results indicated that the newly developed 3D CFD model could predict the absolute moisture removal accurately with an average deviation of 7%. Parametric study revealed that the dehumidification performance was closely related with air humidity, velocity, solution temperature, centration, temperature and contact angle but seldom affected by air temperature. The simulation results also indicated that falling film of liquid desiccant shrank gradually along the flow direction, leading to an inhomogeneous water vapor absorption process in the dehumidifier. Intense water vapor absorption occurred at the phase interface, resulting in large solution concentration gradient and humidity content in the zone near the air/liquid contact interface. However, minor mass transfer occurred in other zones mainly in the form of diffusion. Accordingly, several heat/mass transfer enhancement approaches, i.e. structural modifications and surface modification, were proposed to improve the flow turbulence and to enlarge the falling film wettability. The newly proposed 3D simulation model and dehumidification enhancement approaches are meaningful for the design and operation of liquid desiccant cooling system.

Suggested Citation

  • Tao, Wen & Yimo, Luo & Lin, Lu, 2019. "A novel 3D simulation model for investigating liquid desiccant dehumidification performance based on CFD technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 486-498.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:240:y:2019:i:c:p:486-498
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.02.068
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tao Wen & Lin Lu & Hongxing Yang & Yimo Luo, 2018. "Investigation on the Regeneration and Corrosion Characteristics of an Anodized Aluminum Plate Regenerator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Wen, Tao & Lu, Lin & Dong, Chuanshuai & Luo, Yimo, 2018. "Development and experimental study of a novel plate dehumidifier made of anodized aluminum," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 169-177.
    3. Luo, Yimo & Yang, Hongxing & Lu, Lin & Qi, Ronghui, 2014. "A review of the mathematical models for predicting the heat and mass transfer process in the liquid desiccant dehumidifier," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 587-599.
    4. Luo, Yimo & Shao, Shuangquan & Xu, Hongbo & Tian, Changqing & Yang, Hongxing, 2014. "Experimental and theoretical research of a fin-tube type internally-cooled liquid desiccant dehumidifier," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 127-134.
    5. Luo, Yimo & Chen, Yi & Yang, Hongxing & Wang, Yuanhao, 2017. "Study on an internally-cooled liquid desiccant dehumidifier with CFD model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 399-409.
    6. Yadav, Anil Singh & Bhagoria, J.L., 2013. "Heat transfer and fluid flow analysis of solar air heater: A review of CFD approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 60-79.
    7. Ou, Xianhua & Cai, Wenjian & He, Xiongxiong & Zhai, Deqing, 2018. "Experimental investigations on heat and mass transfer performances of a liquid desiccant cooling and dehumidification system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 164-175.
    8. Luo, Yimo & Yang, Hongxing & Lu, Lin, 2014. "Dynamic and microscopic simulation of the counter-current flow in a liquid desiccant dehumidifier," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 1018-1025.
    9. She, Xiaohui & Cong, Lin & Nie, Binjian & Leng, Guanghui & Peng, Hao & Chen, Yi & Zhang, Xiaosong & Wen, Tao & Yang, Hongxing & Luo, Yimo, 2018. "Energy-efficient and -economic technologies for air conditioning with vapor compression refrigeration: A comprehensive review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 157-186.
    10. Islam, M.R. & Alan, S.W.L. & Chua, K.J., 2018. "Studying the heat and mass transfer process of liquid desiccant for dehumidification and cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 334-347.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuquan Zhang & Yanhe Xu & Yuan Zheng & E. Fernandez-Rodriguez & Aoran Sun & Chunxia Yang & Jue Wang, 2019. "Multiobjective Optimization Design and Experimental Investigation on the Axial Flow Pump with Orthogonal Test Approach," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2019, pages 1-14, December.
    2. Wen, Tao & Lu, Lin & He, Weifeng & Min, Yunran, 2020. "Fundamentals and applications of CFD technology on analyzing falling film heat and mass exchangers: A comprehensive review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    3. Md Nafiul Islam & Md Zafar Iqbal & Mohammod Ali & Md Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz & Md Shaha Nur Kabir & Seung-Ho Jang & Sun-Ok Chung, 2023. "Evaluation of a 0.7 kW Suspension-Type Dehumidifier Module in a Closed Chamber and in a Small Greenhouse," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-17, March.

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