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Energy and Comfort Evaluation of Fresh Air-Based Hybrid Cooling System in Hot and Humid Climates

Author

Listed:
  • Ramadas Narayanan

    (Fuel & Energy Research Group, School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, QLD 4670, Australia)

  • Subbu Sethuvenkatraman

    (CSIRO Energy Business Unit, Newcastle, NSW 2304, Australia)

  • Roberto Pippia

    (Fuel & Energy Research Group, School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, QLD 4670, Australia)

Abstract

Maintaining mechanical ventilation has been identified as a potential strategy for reducing the risk of virus infections. However, in hot and humid climatic conditions, delivering fresh air to a building comes at an energy cost and could impact occupant comfort due to the persistent need for simultaneous cooling and dehumidification. In this paper, the performance of a novel hybrid air conditioning system that handles fresh air is studied. In this system, dehumidification is accomplished by a solid desiccant dehumidifier coupled with a cooling coil integrated with the cooling tower of an existing chiller system. Using the data available from an operational desiccant cooling system, a system-level model has been developed and validated to study the potential application of the system in hot and humid climates. The study found that such a system is effective in delivering sensible cooling in all types of climates; thanks to the two-stage cooling in cooling coil and chilled water coils, respectively. However, the system is effective in delivering thermal comfort in regions where the climate has a relatively moderate ambient humidity. For the tropical cities of Darwin, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, the system can provide comfortable temperatures, but faces challenges in keeping the humidity within the comfort zone. The system electrical coefficient of performance (COP) is higher than that of refrigerative systems. This system also has the benefit over the refrigerative system of the supply air, which is entirely fresh ambient air and is expected to improve the indoor environmental quality largely.

Suggested Citation

  • Ramadas Narayanan & Subbu Sethuvenkatraman & Roberto Pippia, 2022. "Energy and Comfort Evaluation of Fresh Air-Based Hybrid Cooling System in Hot and Humid Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:20:p:7537-:d:940680
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Das, Rajat Subhra & Jain, Sanjeev, 2015. "Simulation of potential standalone liquid desiccant cooling cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 652-661.
    2. Hands, Stuart & Sethuvenkatraman, Subbu & Peristy, Mark & Rowe, Daniel & White, Stephen, 2016. "Performance analysis & energy benefits of a desiccant based solar assisted trigeneration system in a building," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 865-879.
    3. Ramadas Narayanan & Edward Halawa & Sanjeev Jain, 2019. "Dehumidification Potential of a Solid Desiccant Based Evaporative Cooling System with an Enthalpy Exchanger Operating in Subtropical and Tropical Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-18, July.
    4. Ramadas Narayanan & Edward Halawa & Sanjeev Jain, 2018. "Performance Characteristics of Solid-Desiccant Evaporative Cooling Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, September.
    5. Hwang, Won-Baek & Choi, Sun & Lee, Dae-Young, 2017. "In-depth analysis of the performance of hybrid desiccant cooling system incorporated with an electric heat pump," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 324-332.
    6. 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.
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