Desiccant Cooling with Solar Energy

Desiccant cooling systems combine sorptive dehumidification, heat recovery, evaporation and heating to create a cooling process which can offer energy savings compared to conventional air conditioning systems. Waste heat or solar energy can be used for the required regeneration of the sorbens in the dehumidifier, leading to further energy savings. Parametric studies, particularly of the dehumidifier, have been undertaken. These show that it may be possible to reduce the regeneration air flow without a significant reduction in the dehumidification efficiency, enabling desiccant cooling systems to run with high COPs. The results of the measurements were used as input parameters for a new dynamic simulation program, which was specifically developed for the purpose of assessing the potential for desiccant cooling under different climatic conditions.