Solar regeneration in desiccant dehumidifier under variable flow & rotational conditions

Conventional dehumidifiers suffer from drawbacks such as high power consumption, increased chlorofluorocarbons levels, and ozone depletion. In contrast, desiccant dehumidifiers provide a more efficient solution, particularly in hot, humid environments, with the regeneration system playing a crucial role in overall efficiency. This research focuses on design & construction of polymer desiccant-based system, with particular attention given to the regeneration section using parabolic based solar energy. Performance parameters were analyzed by varying the air velocity ratios between the regeneration and dehumidifier air, and the desiccant wheel rotation speed. The results demonstrated a maximum dehumidification coefficient of performance of 7.44, a regeneration rate of 0.81 g/s, a sensible energy ratio of 0.96, and an energy-moisture ratio of 11.43. As the velocity ratio decreased from 4 to 0.8, the Nusselt, Lewis, and Sherwood numbers increased by 262.44 %, reaching peak values of 149.58, 0.711, and 135.04, respectively. Air quality tests confirmed that all pollutant parameters met American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers standards. The regeneration process, using parabolic solar heating on a polymer-based solid desiccant dehumidifier, effectively removes moisture. Desiccants adsorb moisture, and airflow and temperature control enhance dehumidification. Overall, the findings show that the regeneration parameter has a direct impact on the dehumidification efficiency of the system.