Theoretical and experimental investigation on the transient coupled heat and mass transfer in a radial flow desiccant packed bed

Theoretical and experimental investigation on the transient coupled heat and mass transfer in a radial flow desiccant packed bed has been reported in the present work. An experimental test rig has been designed and constructed to carry out the required experimental measurements. System parameters and flowing air conditions (bed weight, air velocity, air conditions – dry and wet bulb temperatures- at exit of test rig components) are measured and analyzed. A hollow cylindrical packed bed has been used as a desiccant dehumidifier. This configuration decreases the required power to blow air through the bed. In the theoretical study, prediction of air exit conditions from the bed is carried out based on the model of Barlow for the analysis of adsorption and regeneration processes in the desiccant bed. This model uses simple effectiveness equations for steady-state heat and mass exchangers within a finite difference procedure. Air at different conditions of temperature and humidity enters the regenerated bed and the exit temperature and humidity are plotted with time. Acceptable agreement is found between the theoretical and experimental results. The most effective parameters on the system performance are the initial water content of the bed and its initial temperature. Bed cooling during adsorption improves the system performance.