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Thermodynamics and economics of liquid desiccants for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning - An overview

Giampieri, Alessandro; Ma, Zhiwei; Smallbone, Andrew; Roskilly, Anthony Paul

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Abstract

In an effort to minimise electricity consumption and greenhouse gases emissions, the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning sector has focused its attention on developing alternative solutions to electrically-driven vapour-compression cooling. Liquid desiccant air-conditioning systems represent an energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly alternative technology for dehumidification and cooling, particularly in those cases with high latent loads to maintain indoor air quality and comfort conditions. This technology is considered particularly efficient in hot and humid climates. As a matter of fact, the choice of the desiccant solution influences the overall performance of the system. The current paper reviews the working principle of liquid desiccant systems, focusing on the thermodynamic properties of the desiccant solutions and describes an evaluation of the reference thermodynamic properties of different desiccant solutions to identify which thermodynamic, physical, transport property influences the liquid desiccant process and to what extent. The comparison of these thermodynamic properties for the commonly used desiccants is conducted to estimate which fluid could perform most favourably in the system. The economic factors and the effect of different applications and climatic conditions on the system performance are also described. The paper is intended to be the first step in the evaluation of alternative desiccant fluids able to overcome the problems related to the use of the common desiccant solutions, such as crystallization and corrosion to metals. Ionic liquids seem a promising alternative working fluid in liquid desiccant air-conditioning systems and their characteristics and cost are discussed.

Citation

Giampieri, A., Ma, Z., Smallbone, A., & Roskilly, A. P. (2018). Thermodynamics and economics of liquid desiccants for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning - An overview. Applied Energy, 220, 455-479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.03.112

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 28, 2018
Online Publication Date Mar 30, 2018
Publication Date May 15, 2018
Deposit Date Oct 8, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Applied Energy
Print ISSN 0306-2619
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 220
Pages 455-479
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.03.112

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