Theoretical and experimental investigation on the performance of hybrid desiccant air conditioning system using activated alumina in a radial flow packed bed

An experimental and theoretical investigation of air desiccant conditioning system has been reported in the present work. An experimental test rig which contains blower, air heater, desiccant packed bed, air/water heat exchanger, humidifier and traditional air conditioner has been designed and constructed to carry out the required experimental measurements. Hollow cylindrical packed bed has been used as a desiccant dehumidifier. This configuration decreases the required power to pass air through the bed. Humid air at different conditions enters the regenerated bed and the exit temperatures and humidities are plotted with time. In the theoretical study, prediction of air exit conditions from the bed is carried out based on the analysis of adsorption process and desiccant cooling system of Barlow. Acceptable agreement is found between the theoretical and experimental results. Also psychrometric representation for the unsteady exit condition is given.