Exergy analysis of a liquid-desiccant-based, hybrid air-conditioning system

We present the applicable exergy analysis and estimate irreversible losses that are generated during operation of a hybrid air-conditioning cycle with emphasis on a partly closed solar regenerator that is used to regenerate weak desiccant. The desiccant mass-flow rate has been chosen as the fundamental parameter for analysing the system. We find an optimum mass-flow rate for minimum irreversibility, i.e. maximum exergy. Large irreversibilities occur for high ambient vapor pressures, which tend to decrease the system exergy and overall performance of the regenerator.