Simulation and parameter analysis of a two-stage desiccant cooing/heating system driven by solar air collectors

To increase the fraction of solar energy might be used in supplying energy for the operation of a building, a solar desiccant cooling and heating system was modeled in Simulink. First, base case performance models were programmed according to the configuration of the installed solar desiccant system and verified by the experimental data. Then, the year-round performance about the system was simulated. Last, design parameters of solar air collectors were optimized that include collector area, air leakage and thermal insulation. Comparison between numerical and experimental results shows good agreement. During the simulation, the humidity load for 63 days (51.7%) can be totally handled by the two-stage desiccant cooling unit. For seasonal total heating load, about 49.0% can be handled by solar energy. Based on optimized results, the thermal energy subsystem functioned to its expected performance in solar energy collection and thermal storage.

► A solar desiccant cooling/heating system is simulation studied.
► The mean deviation is about 10.5% for temperature and 9.6% for humidity ratio.
► The 51.7% of humidity load and 76% of the total cooling can be handled.
► About 49.0% of heating load can be handled by solar energy.
► An optimization of solar air collector has been investigated.