INFLUENCE OF MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND HEAT REMOVAL ON MASS AND HEAT-TRANSFER IN A SOLID DESICCANT DEHUMIDIFIER

Theoretical analysis and parametric studies for improving the performance of the drying process in a low-pressure-drop laminar-flow dehumidifier were carried out to determine the basic guidelines for better dehumidifier design. A computerized simulation model, which assumes that gas-side resistance controls the mass and heat transfer rate and allows all thermodynamic and kinetic parameters to be a function of temperature, was developed. Validation testing showed satisfactory agreement between theoretical and experimental results. The effects of various modes of heat removal (including isothermal and partial removal of heat) were studied and compared to the adiabatic mode. The influence of the type and proportions of the solid desiccants, i.e. silica gel or zeolite 5A, was also investigated. In addition, a combination of the above-described effects was studied. The results showed an improvement in performance by removing heat and combining different desiccant adsorbents. © 1990.