Experimental Investigation on Heat Transfer Performance of Rotatory Desiccant Dehumidifier

Abstract

Abstract Dry air plays an essential role in achieving human comfort and in other applications like product drying, food storage, etc. one of the best methods to produce dry air is by employing a desiccant dehumidifier. A rotatory desiccant wheel with silica gel is used in the present work. Current work involves the optimization of the desiccant wheel performance in terms of airflow rates along with ambient temperatures. Optimization of desiccant wheel is suggested by maximum value of various performance parameters involved in this study. Required conditions have been set up by the pre-treatment section installed before the desiccant wheel. At the regeneration section two electric heater (250 watt each) is fitted through which the desiccant material is regenerated. This work is conducted for humid and hot conditions and found that the optimum functioning of desiccant wheel dehumidifier is found at 31°C ambient temperature and at the inlet 3.5 m/s velocity of air.