Authors
Abstract
The main aim of the present study is to design and test the dehumidify system
for air-conditioning unit and testing rig to find out the performance of using
polymer technique to control the inside conditions, that are represented by relative
humidity and temperature in testing room by using desiccant wheel (Cromer cycle),
and testing the effect of some parameters which can improve the performance of
this system. An air-conditioner unit of 2tons capacity was installed in this system
and used one type of desiccant material (silica gel) was used in this work. Two
thicknesses of desiccant material and two widths (channels depth) were studied
3.5mm with channel depth 5cm and 2.5 mm with channel depth 20 cm and wheels
diameter of 90cm.Four rotational speeds for desiccant wheel were studied (36, 45,
60, and 90) rph and the regeneration temperature was used to control the inlet
regeneration air temperature using a number of electrical heaters. The series of test
showed that, the best COP, efficiency and relative humidity control within the
conditioned space was for the silica gel at thickness 2.5mm and channel depth
20cm. The maximum adsorption and desorption rate was 0.5427g/kg and
1.322g/kg respectively at 36 rph and (36.5 oC) regeneration temperature and the
best COP of A/C was about (5.12) at 36 rph and (42 oC) regeneration temperature.
Experimentally the best sensible and total efficiency that can be achieved was
(18.1%) and (17.98%) at 45 rph and (30.6 oC) regeneration temperature and
(17.88%), (17.76%) at 36rph and (30.91oC) regeneration temperature. The best
latent efficiency was (6.2 %) at 45 rph and (43.26 oC) regeneration temperature
)
