Desiccant cooling air conditioning: a review

In this paper, the principles underlying the operation of desiccant cooling systems are recalled and their actual technological applications are discussed. Through a literature review, the feasibility of the desiccant cooling in different climates is proven and the advantages it can offer in terms energy and cost savings are underscored. Some commented examples are presented to illustrate how the desiccant cooling can be a perfective supplement to other cooling systems such as traditional vapour compression air conditioning system, the evaporative cooling, and the chilled-ceiling radiant cooling. It is notably shown that the desiccant materials, when associated with evaporative cooling or chilled-ceiling radiant cooling, can render them applicable under a diversity of climatic conditions. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.