Experimental analysis and performance optimization of a counter-flow enthalpy recovery device using liquid desiccant

Abstract

The liquid desiccant enthalpy recovery is an efficient way to save energy in air-conditioning systems. In this study, a counter-flow liquid desiccant enthalpy recovery device was proposed and experimentally analyzed. Enthalpy transfer capacity, enthalpy efficiency and pressure drop per height of packing were used as indices to describe its performances. Based on the experiment results, the heat and mass transfer model of a packed tower was used to simulate and optimize the performance of this device. The maximum enthalpy efficiency and enthalpy transfer capacity were achieved when the optimal air velocity (1.9–2.1 m/s in this study) maintained to be slightly below the air velocity at the loading point and the thermal capacity ratio of air to desiccant ( m*) equaled to 1. These conclusions are valuable to both design and operation of such an enthalpy recovery device. Practical application: A counter-flow enthalpy recovery device with liquid desiccant was proposed and experimentally investigated. Based on the experiment results, a numerical model for this device was built and validated. The optimal air and desiccant mass fluxes were analyzed to maximize the enthalpy efficiency of this device, which could be higher than the conventional device with cross-flow pattern. These results could provide guidelines for both design and operation management of counter-flow enthalpy recovery devices in liquid desiccant-based air-conditioning systems.