International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395 -0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 03 | Mar -2017
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Dehumidification process by desiccant wheel in Air conditioning Ritesh Patel1, Sagar Patel2, Parth Patel3, Prof. Pragnesh Kandoliya4 1Student,
Dept. Of mechanical engineering, Vadodara institute of engineering, Gujarat, India Dept. Of mechanical engineering, Vadodara institute of engineering, Gujarat, India 3Student, Dept. Of mechanical engineering, Vadodara institute of engineering, Gujarat, India 4Professor, Dept. Of mechanical engineering, Vadodara institute of engineering, Gujarat, India 2Student,
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Abstract - The most commonly used cooling systems are
vapor compression refrigeration system (VCR) in Air conditioners and direct evaporative cooling system (DEC) in swamp coolers. The drawback of DEC systems is increased humidity and we cannot achieve temperature below wet bulb temperature, while harmfulness of refrigerants and cost are main drawbacks of VCR systems. So we are making combined unit consisting dehumidifier and cooling unit with the use of solid desiccant wheel. Introducing new air conditioning system by using desiccant wheel for dehumidification process. Making a unit having two chambers hot and cold. Passing air from desiccant wheel for dehumidification and then feeding it to heat exchanger for making air chilled and implementation of seasonal efficiency by varying the speed of desiccant wheel. The optimum speed of desiccant wheel would be 10-20 RPH. We are trying to make an air conditioning system which is efficient, environment friendly, low cost and less electricity bills.
Standard silica gel is referred to as being non-indicating, as it absorbs moisture it remains physically unchanged. Nonindicating silica gel is both cheap and effective available loose in bulk packs. Use of desiccant wheel gives most appropriate conditions like low temperature and dry air for storing foodstuffs maintaining their colour, texture, aroma and nutrients[6].
Key Words: Desiccative cooling, desiccant wheel, adsorption, dehumidification, regeneration, heat exchanger.
1. INTRODUCTION A conventional air conditioner consumes large amount of electrical energy especially in hot and humid climatic conditions due to high latent load[4]. Desiccant wheel based hybrid air conditioning system is one of the promising alternative to handle the high latent load efficiently[4]. Desiccant wheel is replica of thermal wheel having difference of coating applied for dehumidifying the air. Desiccant is nothing but silica Gel. As the wheel rotates, the desiccant passes alternately through the incoming air where the moisture is absorbed, and through regenerating zone where the desiccant is dried and the moisture is removed. As the wheel continue to rotate this process is continuously repeat. Regeneration is done by the use of electric heating coil. Silica gel is not a “Gel” as the name implies, but it is a porous granular form of silica which is made from sodium silicate. The internal structure of each silica granule is made up of a network of interconnecting microscopic pores which attract and holds moisture within each granule by physical adsorption or capillary condensation process. Most commonly there are two types of silica gel available in the market which are indicating and non-indicating type. © 2017, IRJET
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Impact Factor value: 5.181
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Fig -1: Schematic diagram of the system
2. Literature review Our group carried out an experiment which consist use of silica gel as a desiccant material in swamp cooler and we came to a conclusion that use of silica gel gives efficient cooling.
3. Analytical method To determine the performance of the unit various analytical methods are used.
3.1 Dehumidification and cooling It is the process of removing the moisture from the air, which is done by the desiccant wheel present in the unit. When the air passes through the desiccant wheel the granules of silica gel absorb moisture present in the air and gives dry air. This dry air is fed to heat exchanger which ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal
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