Analysis and comparison between Maisotsenko cycle-based indirect contact M-Cooler dehumidifier and structured packing-based dehumidifier

Abstract

In this study, a novel liquid desiccant employing Maisotsenko cycle-based indirect contact M-cooler in the dehumidifier is proposed. The proposed system has multipurpose applications such as building space cooling and drying food products. Liquid desiccant chosen for the present investigation is lithium chloride (LiCl). The developed thermal model is used to predict the performance of the above-mentioned conventional and novel system. The proposed model has been validated with the data available in the literature and found to match well with a maximum allowable error of ±9.7%. Depending upon developed model, a performance comparison of conventional and novel systems is carried out. From the performance assessment, it is observed that cooling load is low and condensation rate is high for the novel system. Further the performance of the novel system is done using variable Prandtl and Eckert number. Also, for the given operating range, the maximum vapor absorption rate by the liquid desiccant from the atmospheric humid air is about 4.62 LPM.