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Silica gel/polymer composite desiccant wheel combined with heat pump for air-conditioning systems

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  • Chen, Chih-Hao
  • Hsu, Chien-Yeh
  • Chen, Chih-Chieh
  • Chiang, Yuan-Ching
  • Chen, Sih-Li

Abstract

This study focused on using the released heat from a heat pump as the heat source at 40–50 °C to regenerate a silica gel/polymer composite desiccant wheel and also on using the adsorb heat of the heat pump to dehumidify the processed air by condensing it and creating a high relative humidity condition, which helped to improve the performance of the composite desiccant wheel. The desiccant wheel was placed behind the evaporator to handle the second stage of dehumidification, achieving total dehumidification by 7 g kg−1. A new composite desiccant made of 80% silica gel, 10% polyacrylic acid and 10% polyacrylic sodium (SG8PS1PA1) was chosen due to its high average adsorption rate and its low average temperature increase of outlet air. Composite desiccants can be made into any shape, so a low-pressure-drop composite desiccant wheel with air flow channels can be designed to reduce the power consumption of the system. Under the same conditions, a composite desiccant in a heat pump system exhibited an energy factor of 2.3 kg kW−1 h−1, outperforming the silica-gel-based system by 130% and consuming less power than traditional dehumidification systems. Finally, the composite desiccant wheel-heat pump system was installed in a building and underwent long-term testing.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Chih-Hao & Hsu, Chien-Yeh & Chen, Chih-Chieh & Chiang, Yuan-Ching & Chen, Sih-Li, 2016. "Silica gel/polymer composite desiccant wheel combined with heat pump for air-conditioning systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 87-99.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:94:y:2016:i:c:p:87-99
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.10.139
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Chen, K. & Zheng, X. & Wang, S.N., 2022. "Investigation on activated carbon-sodium polyacrylate coated aluminum sheets for desiccant coated heat exchanger," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
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    4. Zeng, Cheng & Liu, Shuli & Shukla, Ashish, 2017. "A review on the air-to-air heat and mass exchanger technologies for building applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 753-774.
    5. Park, Myeong Hyeon & Chung, Jun Yeob & Hong, Seong Ho & Shin, Hyun Ho & Lee, Dongchan & Kim, Yongchan, 2023. "Optimized geometric designs of desiccant wheels with metal-organic frameworks considering dehumidification capacity and energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    6. Shuo Liu & Chang-Ho Jeong & Myoung-Souk Yeo, 2020. "Effect of Evaporator Position on Heat Pump Assisted Solid Desiccant Cooling Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-21, November.
    7. Shamim, Jubair A. & Hsu, Wei-Lun & Paul, Soumyadeep & Yu, Lili & Daiguji, Hirofumi, 2021. "A review of solid desiccant dehumidifiers: Current status and near-term development goals in the context of net zero energy buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    8. Chua, K.J. & Chou, S.K. & Islam, M.R., 2018. "On the experimental study of a hybrid dehumidifier comprising membrane and composite desiccants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 934-943.
    9. Oh, Seung Jin & Ng, Kim Choon & Chun, Wongee & Chua, Kian Jon Ernest, 2017. "Evaluation of a dehumidifier with adsorbent coated heat exchangers for tropical climate operations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 441-448.
    10. Liu, Shuo & Jang, Hyusan & Yeo, Myoung-Souk, 2023. "Experimental study on the operating characteristic of the desiccant cooling systems with the potential of condensing heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    11. Wu, X.N. & Ge, T.S. & Dai, Y.J. & Wang, R.Z., 2019. "Investigation on novel desiccant wheel using wood pulp fiber paper with high coating ratio as matrix," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 493-504.
    12. Chung, Jun Yeob & Park, Myeong Hyeon & Hong, Seong Ho & Baek, Jaehyun & Han, Changho & Lee, Sewon & Kang, Yong Tae & Kim, Yongchan, 2023. "Comparative performance evaluation of multi-objective optimized desiccant wheels coated with MIL-100 (Fe) and silica gel composite," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    13. Qi Xu & Saffa Riffat & Shihao Zhang, 2019. "Review of Heat Recovery Technologies for Building Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-22, April.
    14. Wu, X.N. & Ge, T.S. & Dai, Y.J. & Wang, R.Z., 2018. "Review on substrate of solid desiccant dehumidification system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3236-3249.
    15. Min, Yunran & Chen, Yi & Shi, Wenchao & Yang, Hongxing, 2021. "Applicability of indirect evaporative cooler for energy recovery in hot and humid areas: Comparison with heat recovery wheel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    16. Chiang, Yuan-Ching & Chen, Chih-Hao & Chiang, Yi-Chin & Chen, Sih-Li, 2016. "Circulating inclined fluidized beds with application for desiccant dehumidification systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 199-211.
    17. Chung, Hyun Joon & Jeon, Yongseok & Kim, Dongwoo & Kim, Sunjae & Kim, Yongchan, 2017. "Performance characteristics of domestic hybrid dehumidifier combined with solid desiccant rotor and vapor compression system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 66-75.
    18. Liang, Jyun-De & Tsai, Lu-Kuan & Chai, Shaowei & Zhao, Yao & Chiang, Yuan-Ching & Dai, Yanjun & Chen, Sih-Li, 2023. "Experimental investigation and analysis of alumina/polymer/alginate composite desiccant materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    19. Cui, Yuanlong & Zhu, Jie & Zoras, Stamatis & Liu, Lin, 2021. "Review of the recent advances in dew point evaporative cooling technology: 3E (energy, economic and environmental) assessments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    20. Shafiqur Rehman & Muhammad M. Rafique & Luai M. Alhems & Md. Mahbub Alam, 2020. "Development and Implementation of Solar Assisted Desiccant Cooling Technology in Developing Countries: A Case of Saudi Arabia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, January.
    21. Peter Niemann & Finn Richter & Arne Speerforck & Gerhard Schmitz, 2019. "Desiccant-Assisted Air Conditioning System Relying on Solar and Geothermal Energy during Summer and Winter," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-20, August.

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