Performance analysis of a new humid air dehumidifier

A new humid air humidifier was designed and built. It is composed with two identical stages. The condensation is achieved on vertical tubes. Many configurations are tested. A thermodynamic model has been established. This model predicted the performances of each stage. The results showed that the flow rate of pure water produced by dehumidification and the exchanged heat power increase with increasing mass flow rates of dry air and cooling water, temperature and absolute humidity of inlet moist air in the dehumidifier. The high quantity of water vapor in air makes a thick film of condensate on cooling tubes. This reduces the flow rate of condensate and thermal power exchanged. So, the use of multistage condenser as dehumidifier is must but not sufficient for optimum efficiency.