Heat and mass transfer comparisons of desiccant coated microchannel and fin-and-tube heat exchangers

Two types of DCHEs, desiccant coated microchannel heat exchanger (DMHE) and desiccant coated fin-and-tube heat exchanger (DFHE), are manufactured and tested. The heat transfer, mass transfer and pressure drop performances of two DCHEs are analyzed and compared by experimental results. In the same conditions, the heat transfer coefficients of DMHE are almost twice as large as those of DFHE, no matter for sensible heat or latent heat. In dehumidification, the ratios of latent heat to total heat for DFHE and DMHE are 90% and 83%, separately. In regeneration, the ratios of latent heat to total heat for two DCHEs are both approximately 60%. The mass transfer coefficient of DMHE is 15% larger than that of DFHE. The pressure drops per unit transfer area of DMHE is almost 125% larger than that of DFHE. In a conclusion, DMHE shows lower heat capacity, higher heat and mass transfer capacity compared with DFHE.