Desiccant-assisted humidity control for air refrigeration cycles

A desiccant-assisted Brayton cooling cycle as an option for controlling humidity in air refrigeration cycles has been proposed. The modified cycle integrates a desiccant cooling cycle into an ordinary reversed Brayton cycle, using the heat rejection from the Brayton portion to drive the desiccant cooling portion, by applying a heat exchanger between the two cycles. Conversely, the cooling effect produced by the desiccant cycle is used to pre-cool the Brayton air stream, before it is admitted to the turbine. A mathematical model for the proposed cycle is developed, and its dynamic behavior is computationally simulated. The results show that the desiccant-assisted cycle can provide an effective humidity control, in addition to augmenting the cooling capacity of the cycle.

► Combination of desiccant cooling and Brayton refrigeration into a single cycle. ► Humidity control in air–refrigeration cycles. ► Dehumidifier regeneration using compression heating.