Performance assessment of sustainable energy based novel technique for multistage reciprocating liquid dehumidification system

Liquid desiccant technology is a promising option with a high thermal coefficient of performance (COP), easy storage, and lower regeneration temperature. Single stage static liquid dehumidification approach gave a limited moisture removal rate. Hence, the paper focuses on designing and fabricating a multistage reciprocating desiccant dehumidification system integrated with a conventional vapour compression cycle. The system consists of an absorber unit consisting of calcium chloride liquid desiccant and a duct integrated with Celdek packing for dehumidifying the inlet air. The desiccant concentration is recovered by circulating it to a regeneration unit. Regeneration unit consists of a heating unit, a separator, & a contact device. Experiments are conducted by varying the number of packings, desiccant concentrations, and air Reynolds number. Dehumidification performance parameters such as coefficient of mass transfer (MTC), rate of moisture removal (MRR), sensible heat factor (SHF), dehumidification effectiveness (DE) are evaluated. Energy consumption is determined for varying conditions, and the coefficient of performance of the overall system is determined. Regenerator performance is studied corresponding to change in the desiccant concentration at various stages of regeneration. Experimental results indicated a maximum dehumidification efficiency, moisture removal rate, and the coefficient of performance is equal to 77.6%, 5.2 g/s and 3.5. In the contact device, when packing linear velocity increases from 0.13 m/s o 0.26 m/s, ΔW will be increased by 116%, and ΔT dropped by 17.3% for 40% desiccant solution. Contact device is very effective for regeneration in increasing the desiccant concentration and reducing the temperature.