SOLAR DESSICANT COOLING EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION TO A LOW ENERGY BUILDING

This article presents the study of a solar air conditioning system based on "desic cant evaporative cooling” (DEC) technology. Energy performance of the system used in an office building situated in Macon (France) is studied using numerical simulations in TRNSYS environment. The parameters of the “low energy” office building (envelope, glazing, solar protections, ventilation... ) are optimized in order to diminish the needs for heating and cooling. After implementing the model of the desiccant wheel, numerical simulations are conducted in order to asses energy performance of solar DEC system. The results show substantial energy savings for summer period, with satisfactory thermal comfort of the occupants. Supplementary studies were also conducted to analyze the performance of different control strategies.