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Cromer Cycle Air Conditioner: A Study to Confirm Target Performance
Abstract
The Cromer cycle uses a desiccant wheel operating
in conjunction with a typical air conditioning system.
Simulations and laboratory prototypes demonstrate
that the cycle has the potential for enhanced humidity
control with sensible heat ratios as low as 40% and
with far less energy use than other humidity control
strategies. The research of this paper includes the
purchase of “off the shelf” materials and the assembly
of a working residential sized Cromer cycle desiccant
air conditioning system. A desiccant wheel was
retrofitted on an existing operational two and one half
ton air conditioning system within an occupied
residence in Cocoa Beach, Florida to validate the
energy reduction targets and humidity control
performance of this new technology. The unit was
constructed and installed during the winter months of
2000. The monitoring for energy and
dehumidification performance presented in this paper
took place in the Spring of 2001. The unit was
installed and removed so that performance data “with”
and “without” the Cromer cycle was obtained for
comparison. Performance data on the AC unit were
acquired using the air-enthalpy method of
ARI/ASHRAE test procedures with data recorded on
Campbell Scientific CR-10 data acquisition system
and downloaded to computer for analysis. The Cromer
cycle system provided a three fold increase in moisture
control capacity with a 4% reduction in energy use at
the conditions tested.
Citation
Cromer, C. J. (2001). Cromer Cycle Air Conditioner: A Study to Confirm Target Performance. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /5129.