Experimental investigations on a solar assisted liquid desiccant cooling system with indirect contact dehumidifier

Challenges on energy and environmental fronts have initiated momentum in increasing the role of renewable energy in air-conditioning industry. Liquid desiccant cooling systems (LDCS), emerging as promising alternative to conventional vapor compression systems, can run on low grade heat which can easily be drawn from solar energy. In the present study a small capacity liquid desiccant evaporative cooling system for small office application is developed. The system is a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS). Lithium chloride solution is used as a liquid desiccant. The system consists of a dehumidifier, a regenerator, a regenerative evaporative cooler, heat exchangers (solution-solution, air-water, and solution-water) and non-concentrating solar collectors. The dehumidifier in the system is an indirect contact heat and mass exchanger which eliminates the carryover of desiccant. The major energy consumption in the LDCS is for the regeneration process which is tapped from solar energy. The performance of the overall system is presented in terms of its dehumidification effectiveness, moisture removal rate, cooling capacity and thermal COP.