Numerical analysis and optimization of a solar hybrid one-rotor two-stage desiccant cooling and heating system

• Performance model of a solar cooling/heating system was created in TRNSYS studio.
• Performance analysis of annual data shows that the solar system can operate well.
• Evacuated tube solar air collector was applied in a developed air-conditioning unit.

In this paper, a solar hybrid one-rotor two-stage desiccant cooling and heating system has been numerically analyzed. The system was made up of a one-rotor two-stage desiccant cooling unit, with design cooling capacity for 5 kW, and a solar collector array of 15 m2. Performance model of the system was created in TRNSYS simulation studio. Firstly, base case performance models were programmed according to the configuration of the installed solar desiccant system and verified by the experimental data. Secondly, the year-round performance about the system was simulated. Finally, we optimized the parameters of the system, including the solar collector area, the ratio between fresh air and return air, and the heat exchanger efficiency. Numerical results agree with the experimental ones. The simulation results showed that about 60% of the humidity load can be totally handled by the one-rotor two-stage desiccant cooling unit, and about 40% of the heating load can be handled by solar energy.