ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF EFFICIENT ABSORBERS FOR LOW-TEMPERATURE DESICCANT AIR CONDITIONERS

Desiccant dehumidification and air-conditioning systems design is studied to minimize large parasitic power requirements for pumps and blowers. Each component depends to some extent on overall system characteristics, yet each component must be carefully modeled in itself. A model to analyze the heat and mass transfer in the absorber has been developed. An optimum design has been selected based on not only thermal performance but also practical and economic considerations. Application of the absorber design is then made to design of a complete desiccant system for use with low-temperature heat as an energy source.