Experimental evaluation of commercial desiccant dehumidifier wheels

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is currently characterizing the state-of-the-art in desiccant dehumidifiers, the key component of desiccant cooling systems. The data are being obtained in our HVAC Equipment Test Facility in accordance with the proposed ASHRAE test standard. The experimental data will provide industry and end users with independent performance evaluation and the United States Department of Energy and NREL with the information necessary to assess advances in the energy savings potential of the technology. This paper proposes several figures of merit for evaluating performance. The results of these tests indicate that dehumidification capacity performance parameters can be correlated to process inlet air relative humidity.