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Experimental study on the performance of a novel superabsorbent polymer and activated carbon composite coated heat exchangers

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  • Zheng, Xu
  • Zhang, Yu
  • Wan, Tinghao
  • Chen, Kang

Abstract

Desiccant coated heat exchangers have attracted great attention for their ability to handle both sensible and latent heat loads. However, widely used salt-embedded composite silica gels risk salt solution leakage. To alleviate this problem, a novel superabsorbent polymer (sodium polyacrylate) and activated carbon composite coated heat exchanger (C-DCHE) was developed and tested. Effects of air-side and water-side parameters on the performance of C-DCHE in terms of average dehumidification capacity (Davg) and thermal coefficient of performance (COPth) were investigated and compared to an activated carbon coated heat exchanger (A-DCHE). With the outdoor air of 38 °C&60% RH, Davg and COPth of C-DCHE can be up to 6.1 g kg−1 and 3.6, an improvement of 43% and 26% over A-DCHE, respectively. Besides, the performance of C-DCHE was compared with conventional and salt-embedded silica gels coated heat exchangers in recent publications. C-DCHE showed superior air supply comfort owing to a lower average outlet air humidity ratio and larger COPth under most conditions. Especially, at low regeneration temperatures of 40∼50 °C, its COPth can be 50%–220% higher. This paper provides a promising direction for salt-free composites in DCHE-based systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng, Xu & Zhang, Yu & Wan, Tinghao & Chen, Kang, 2023. "Experimental study on the performance of a novel superabsorbent polymer and activated carbon composite coated heat exchangers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:281:y:2023:i:c:s0360544223016870
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.128293
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    References listed on IDEAS

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