Feasibility Study of a Parallel Plate Desiccant Coated Heat and Mass Regenerator for Dehumidification

Our ever-increasing energy consumption has led to disastrous consequences such as global warming. Air-conditioning takes up a relatively large proportion of the total energy consumed. This makes it imperative to make air-conditioning systems more energy efficient. Desiccant assisted air-conditioning has since long attracted the attention of researchers since low grade waste heat or solar energy can be used. But due to practical limitations such as bulkiness of the system, long pay-back periods, etc., its commercial use has been limited. This paper proposes a desiccant coated parallel plate like configuration of a heat and mass regenerator channel that may be retrofitted into air-ducts of an existing air-conditioning system, instead of using desiccant beds or a desiccant wheel. In this paper, numerical simulations are carried out. Simulation conditions are for warm and humid air conditions. It is concluded that parallel plate regenerator configuration can be a viable part of a desiccant based air-conditioning system.