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Improving Gas-Fired Heat Pump Capacity and Performance by Adding a Desiccant Dehumidification Subsystem
Abstract
This paper examines the merits of coupling a
desiccant dehumidification subsystem to a gas-engine-
driven vapor compression air conditioner.
A system is identified that uses a rotary,
silica gel, parallel-plate dehumidifier. Dehumidifier
data and analysis are based on recent
tests. The dehumidification subsystem processes
the fresh air portion and handles the latent
portion of the load. Adding the desiccant subsystem
increases the gas-based coefficient of
performance 40% and increases the cooling
capacity 50%. Increased initial manufacturing
costs are estimated at around $500/ton ($142/kW)
for volume production. This cost Level is
expected to reduce the total initial cost per
ton compared to a system without the desiccant
subsystem.
Citation
Parsons, B. K.; Pesaran, A. A.; Bharathan, D.; Shelpuk, B. C. (1990). Improving Gas-Fired Heat Pump Capacity and Performance by Adding a Desiccant Dehumidification Subsystem. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6617.