Desiccant wheels for air humidification: An experimental and numerical analysis. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Antonellis, Stefano; Intini, Manuel; Joppolo, Cesare Maria; Molinaroli, Luca; Romano, Francesco
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 106(2016)
• Page Start: 355
• Page End: 364
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Desiccant wheels -- Humidification -- Experimental test -- Simulation -- Hospital; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2015.09.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: The use of desiccant wheel to humidify an air stream is investigated. Air humidification is obtained by extracting water vapour from outdoor air. Experimental tests in winter humidification conditions are performed. The design of the proposed humidification system is numerically analyzed. Effects of boundary conditions on humidification capacity are investigated. Abstract: In this work the use of a desiccant wheel for air humidification is investigated through a numerical and experimental approach. In the proposed humidification system, water vapour is adsorbed from outdoor environment and it is released directly to the air stream supplied to the building. Such a system can be an interesting alternative to steam humidifiers in hospitals or, more generally, in applications where air contamination is a critical issue and therefore adiabatic humidifiers are not allowed. Performance of the proposed system is deeply investigated and optimal values of desiccant wheel configuration parameters are discussed. It is shown that in the investigated conditions, which are representative of Southern Europe winter climate, the system can properly match the latent load of the building. Finally, power consumption referred to the primary source of the proposed humidification system is compared to the one of steam humidifiers. The present analysis is carried out through experimental tests of a desiccant wheel in winter humidification conditions and through a phenomenological model of the device, based on heat and mass transfer equations.