IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v196y2020ics0360544220302292.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exergy analysis and performance improvement of liquid-desiccant deep-dehumidification system: An engineering case study

Author

Listed:
  • Guan, Bowen
  • Zhang, Tao
  • Jun, Liu
  • Liu, Xiaohua

Abstract

Engineering case studies are important for providing valuable experience and reference for energy conservation in actual industrial factories with deep-dehumidification requirements. In this study, on-site measurements were conducted to reveal the performance of a liquid-desiccant deep-dehumidification system applied in a photographic film factory. The results reveal the current system has a limited exergy efficiency of 17.7%, because the high heat source temperature (120 °C) required for regeneration induces large parameter differences in heat and mass transfer processes, which dominates the exergy loss of the system. To improve the system performance, the limiting value of the required heat source temperature is investigated. It was revealed that the humidity ratio of the exhaust air determines the required heat source temperature and an increase in regeneration air flow rate helps decrease it. Next, a refined system combined with a heat pump cycle is developed with a near-optimal regeneration air flow rate. In the refined system, a low heat source temperature of 45.6 °C is achieved, which helps to significantly improve the exergy efficiency of the system from 17.7% to 28.6%. Operating the refined system, 33.7% of the system’s running cost can be saved to ensure a cost-effective operation compared with the original system.

Suggested Citation

  • Guan, Bowen & Zhang, Tao & Jun, Liu & Liu, Xiaohua, 2020. "Exergy analysis and performance improvement of liquid-desiccant deep-dehumidification system: An engineering case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:196:y:2020:i:c:s0360544220302292
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.117122
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544220302292
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2020.117122?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Park, Joon-Young & Kim, Beom-Jun & Yoon, Soo-Yeol & Byon, Yoo-Suk & Jeong, Jae-Weon, 2019. "Experimental analysis of dehumidification performance of an evaporative cooling-assisted internally cooled liquid desiccant dehumidifier," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 177-185.
    2. Zhan, Changfeng & Yin, Yonggao & Jin, Xing & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2018. "Experimental and simulated study on a novel compressed air drying system using a liquid desiccant cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 60-71.
    3. Rafique, M. Mujahid & Gandhidasan, P. & Bahaidarah, Haitham M.S., 2016. "Liquid desiccant materials and dehumidifiers – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 179-195.
    4. Wen, Tao & Lu, Lin & Dong, Chuanshuai & Luo, Yimo, 2018. "Development and experimental study of a novel plate dehumidifier made of anodized aluminum," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 169-177.
    5. Cheng, Qing & Xu, Wenhao, 2017. "Performance analysis of a novel multi-function liquid desiccant regeneration system for liquid desiccant air-conditioning system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(P1), pages 240-252.
    6. Zhan, Changfeng & Yin, Yonggao & Guo, Xiaoshuang & Jin, Xing & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2018. "Investigation on drying performance and alternative analysis of different liquid desiccants in compressed air drying system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PB), pages 1-9.
    7. Shen, Suping & Cai, Wenjian & Wang, Xinli & Wu, Qiong & Yon, Haoren, 2017. "Investigation of liquid desiccant regenerator with fixed-plate heat recovery system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 172-182.
    8. Zhang, Lun & Song, Xia & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2019. "Theoretical analysis of exergy destruction and exergy flow in direct contact process between humid air and water/liquid desiccant solution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    9. Khalid Ahmed, C.S & Gandhidasan, P & Zubair, S.M & Al-Farayedhi, A.A, 1998. "Exergy analysis of a liquid-desiccant-based, hybrid air-conditioning system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 51-59.
    10. Mohammad, Abdulrahman Th. & Bin Mat, Sohif & Sulaiman, M.Y. & Sopian, K. & Al-abidi, Abduljalil A., 2013. "Survey of hybrid liquid desiccant air conditioning systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 186-200.
    11. Ou, Xianhua & Cai, Wenjian & He, Xiongxiong & Zhai, Deqing, 2018. "Experimental investigations on heat and mass transfer performances of a liquid desiccant cooling and dehumidification system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 164-175.
    12. Yang, Zili & Tao, Ruiyang & Ni, Hui & Zhong, Ke & Lian, Zhiwei, 2019. "Performance study of the internally-cooled ultrasonic atomization liquid desiccant dehumidification system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 745-757.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Zili & Tao, Ruiyang & Chen, Lu-An & Zhong, Ke & Chen, Bin, 2020. "Feasibility study on improving the performance of atomization liquid desiccant dehumidifier with standing-wave ultrasound," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    2. Shukla, D.L. & Modi, K.V., 2022. "Influence of distinct input parameters on performance indices of dehumidifier, regenerator and on liquid desiccant-operated evaporative cooling system – A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Liu, Hongdou & Yang, Hongquan & Qi, Ronghui, 2020. "A review of electrically driven dehumidification technology for air-conditioning systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    2. Wen, Tao & Lu, Lin, 2019. "A review of correlations and enhancement approaches for heat and mass transfer in liquid desiccant dehumidification system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 757-784.
    3. Su, Wei & Lu, Zhifei & She, Xiaohui & Zhou, Junming & Wang, Feng & Sun, Bo & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2022. "Liquid desiccant regeneration for advanced air conditioning: A comprehensive review on desiccant materials, regenerators, systems and improvement technologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    4. Pasqualin, P. & Lefers, R. & Mahmoud, S. & Davies, P.A., 2022. "Comparative review of membrane-based desalination technologies for energy-efficient regeneration in liquid desiccant air conditioning of greenhouses," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. Luo, Jielin & Yang, Hongxing, 2022. "A state-of-the-art review on the liquid properties regarding energy and environmental performance in liquid desiccant air-conditioning systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    6. Yang, Hongxing & Shi, Wenchao & Chen, Yi & Min, Yunran, 2021. "Research development of indirect evaporative cooling technology: An updated review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    7. Li, Hongxuan & Zou, Tonghua & Han, Xiaowan & Dai, Baomin & Liu, Jia, 2023. "Numerical and experimental study on the regeneration performance of a liquid desiccant system coupled with rotating packed bed and vacuum," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    8. Cui, Yuanlong & Zhu, Jie & Zoras, Stamatis & Liu, Lin, 2021. "Review of the recent advances in dew point evaporative cooling technology: 3E (energy, economic and environmental) assessments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    9. Tao Wen & Lin Lu & Hongxing Yang & Yimo Luo, 2018. "Investigation on the Regeneration and Corrosion Characteristics of an Anodized Aluminum Plate Regenerator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-15, May.
    10. Islam, M.R. & Alan, S.W.L. & Chua, K.J., 2018. "Studying the heat and mass transfer process of liquid desiccant for dehumidification and cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 334-347.
    11. Chen, Q. & Kum Ja, M. & Li, Y. & Chua, K.J., 2018. "Thermodynamic optimization of a vacuum multi-effect membrane distillation system for liquid desiccant regeneration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 960-973.
    12. Wen, Tao & Lu, Lin & Li, Mai & Zhong, Hong, 2018. "Comparative study of the regeneration characteristics of LiCl and a new mixed liquid desiccant solution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 992-1005.
    13. Zhang, Qinling & Liu, Xiaohua & Zhang, Tao & Xie, Ying, 2020. "Performance optimization of a heat pump driven liquid desiccant dehumidification system using exergy analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    14. Qing Cheng & Han Wang & Lin Zhu & Yao Chen, 2023. "A current efficiency model coupled with desiccant molecular weight for electrodialysis regeneration in liquid desiccant air-conditioning systems," Energy & Environment, , vol. 34(4), pages 909-926, June.
    15. Cui, Xin & Yan, Weichao & Liu, Yilin & Zhao, Min & Jin, Liwen, 2020. "Performance analysis of a hollow fiber membrane-based heat and mass exchanger for evaporative cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    16. Tao, Wen & Yimo, Luo & Lin, Lu, 2019. "A novel 3D simulation model for investigating liquid desiccant dehumidification performance based on CFD technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 486-498.
    17. Qu, Ke & Barreto, Germilly & Iten, Muriel & Wang, Yuhao & Riffat, Saffa, 2023. "Energy and thermal performance of optimised hollow fibre liquid desiccant cooling and dehumidification systems in mediterranean regions: Modelling, validation and case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PC).
    18. Dong, Chuanshuai & Lu, Lin & Wen, Tao, 2018. "Investigating dehumidification performance of solar-assisted liquid desiccant dehumidifiers considering different surface properties," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 978-994.
    19. Ou, Xianhua & Cai, Wenjian & He, Xiongxiong & Zhai, Deqing, 2018. "Experimental investigations on heat and mass transfer performances of a liquid desiccant cooling and dehumidification system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 164-175.
    20. Zhang, Wanshi & Wu, Yunlei & Li, Xiuwei & Cheng, Feng & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2021. "Performance investigation of the wood-based heat localization regenerator in liquid desiccant cooling system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 133-149.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:196:y:2020:i:c:s0360544220302292. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.