Abstract: A draft method of test (MOT) has been proposed for packaged, air-to-air, desiccant-based dehumidifier systems that incorporate a thermally
regenerated desiccant material for dehumidification. This MOT is intended to function as the “system” testing and rating complement to the desiccant“ component”
(desiccant wheels and/or cassettes) MOT and rating standard already adopted by the industry. This draft standard applies to packaged systems that:
- use solid desiccants for dehumidification of conditioned air for buildings;
- use heated air for regeneration of the desiccant material;
- include fans for moving process and regeneration air;
- may include other system components for filtering, pre-cooling, post-cooling, or heating conditioned air; and
- may include other components for humidification of conditioned air.
The proposed draft applies to four different system operating modes depending on whether outdoor or indoor air is used for process air and regeneration
airstreams. Only the “ventilation” mode, which uses outdoor air for both process and regeneration inlets, is evaluated in this paper. Performance of the
dehumidification system is presented in terms that would be most familiar and useful to designers of building HVAC systems to facilitate integration of
desiccant equipment with more conventional hardware.
Parametric performance results from a modified, commercial desiccant dehumidifier undergoing laboratory testing were used as data input to evaluate the draft
standard. Performance results calculated from this experimental input, results from an error-checking/heat-balance verification test built into the
standard, and estimated comparisons between desiccant and similarly performing conventional dehumidification equipment are calculated and presented.
Some variations in test procedures are suggested to aid in analytic alassessment of individual component performance.
Keywords: desiccant dehumidification, test standard
Availability:
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers
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Reference:
ASHRAE Transactions 2002
Vol. 108, Pt. 1
AC-02-4-3
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