Natural induced flow due to concentration gradient in a liquid desiccant air dehumidifier

• The natural induced flow due to change of concentration in a loop is investigated.
• The natural flow originates from heat sink toward the heat source.
• The unique features of the system explained.
• The natural closed loop acts as an air dehumidifier.
• The near zero energy liquid desiccant dehumidifier is presented.

Natural heat and mass transfer can be achieved simultaneously in a stratified medium. In this study, the natural induced flow due to change of concentration of a desiccant liquid in a closed circulation loop is experimentally investigated. The proposed novel system is a liquid desiccant dehumidifier which consists of two modules: the absorber and the generator, in which no parasitic pump energy is required. The experimental system consists of a closed loop equipped with hollow fiber membranes across which water vapor can be passed. The circulating fluid, lithium chloride, is used as the water vapor absorber while the cooling/heating fluid of the loop is cold/hot water. The preliminary results of the system operations are presented and explained which show that the system can be a promising air dehumidifier device in air conditioning systems.