Experimental Investigation on Dehumidification Using a Solid Composite Bio Desiccant Internally Cooled Using Nanofluids for Building Cooling

Indoor comfort has become a major factor with advancements in science and technology. This also leads to an increase in greenhouse gases as well as energy consumption. Desiccant-coated heat exchangers are one of the common solutions to these risks and to lower energy usage. In the present work, the capability of a solid composite desiccant blend prepared from coconut shell-based activated carbon and bio char was studied. Aluminum plates have been coated with the prepared solid desiccants. Desiccant-coated heat exchangers were cooled by the cerium oxide nanofluid passing through the pipes connected along the length of the heat exchanger. Air was blown through the plates where dehumidification occurs due to the vapor pressure difference between the air and the desiccant-coated plate. The experiments were conducted by varying the air velocity, water flow rate, and nanoparticle concentration. The nanoparticle volume fraction varied from 0.05% to 0.3%. Different performance parameters such as the moisture removal rate, dehumidification efficiency, cooling capacity, and coefficient of performance (COP) were calculated. Results showed that the performance parameters were enhanced with an increase in the water flow rate as well as the air flow rate. Furthermore, it was seen that with the addition and increase in nanoparticle concentration, the moisture removal rate and dehumidification efficiency were enhanced. In comparison to no addition of nanoparticles, a 0.3% addition of nanoparticles demonstrated a maximum increase in MRR of 53% and dehumidification efficiency of 57%. A maximum reduction of 6.1% in the dehumidification area was achieved by using 0.3% nanoparticles with water. It is recommended to use nanofluids for dehumidification using solid desiccants, which can enhance the performance without having negative influence on the environment.

Automated summary

With advancements in science and technology, indoor comfort has become a major concern. However, this has led to increased greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. Desiccant-coated heat exchangers provide a common solution to these issues, and the present study investigated the performance of a solid composite desiccant blend made from coconut shell-based activated carbon and bio char. By cooling the desiccant-coated heat exchangers with cerium oxide nanofluid, and varying parameters such as air velocity, water flow rate, and nanoparticle concentration, it was found that performance parameters such as moisture removal rate and dehumidification efficiency were enhanced. The addition of nanoparticles, especially at 0.3% concentration, showed significant improvement in moisture removal rate and dehumidification efficiency.