EFFECT OF SURFACE TEXTURE ON PERFORMANCE OF LIQUID-DESICCANT-BASED AIR DEHUMIDIFIERS

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2022

Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

Abstract

The moisture removal rate of liquid-desiccant-based air dehumidifiers is adversely affected by a poor liquid desiccant flow distribution. Here, engineered textured surfaces are examined to remedy the issue and improve liquid desiccant flow distribution in dehumidification systems. It was found that there is a complex dependency between surface texture, flow physics, and dehumidification performance. A flow visualization study was conducted at different texture length scales (i.e., edge-to-edge pattern spacing) to determine the optimum texture length scale offering a balance between wickability effect for enhanced flow distribution and desiccant-air interfacial area at the target desiccant flow rate. This study particularly focuses on the dehumidification performance of an engineered drop-shaped polymeric surface. The textured surface is designed and evaluated at an industrially-relevant scale of 0.3 × 0.45 m2. Experimental results showed an increase in the dehumidification rate with the solution and airflow rates. The outcomes of the present study indicate the potential of engineered polymeric textured surfaces for high-performance liquid-desiccant-based dehumidification systems for future air conditioning applications.

Publication Title

Proceedings of the Thermal and Fluids Engineering Summer Conference

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