Performance analysis of a solar-driven hollow fiber membrane-based liquid desiccant air-conditioning system in a hot-humid region

In recent years, due to high temperatures and humidity, coastal areas often fail to meet thermal comfort standards. To address this issue, the performance feasibility of solar-driven hollow fiber membrane-based liquid desiccant air-conditioning (SHFM-LDAC) system in hot-humid climates is investigated. A TRNSYS numerical simulation model for the SHFM-LDAC system is developed. Furthermore, this study systematically explores the underlying thermodynamic and transport mechanisms of three performance indices: dehumidification efficiency (εde), coefficient of performance (COP), and dehumidification for specific electric energy consumption (DSEC), and reveals strongly coupled effects among operating parameters (air flowrate, solution flowrate, hot water temperature, and cooling water temperature) under varying temperature and humidity conditions. Results demonstrate that: εde is primarily influenced by air-side transport limitations and strongly enhanced by low air temperature combined with moderate flow rate. COP is governed by energy input and air latent load, showing significant improvement under low solution flow rate and high inlet humidity conditions. DSEC presents complex nonlinear behavior. Its optimal performance emerges only within well-defined operating regions, particularly when air-side and cooling-side parameters are jointly optimized. These findings provide valuable insights for SHFM-LDAC system energy consumption optimization and intelligent real-time control strategies in hot and humid climates.