Description

A desiccant cooling HVAC system can sharply reduce a building’s energy operating costs for air conditioning, where electric utility demand charges are high, if the system is configured to do all three of the following:

1. Reduce electric demand by removing the dehumidification load from the electric-utility-powered refrigeration system and shifting it to a moisture-absorbing desiccant.
2. Use off-peak electricity or non-electric heat sources, coupled with energy-efficient heat recovery, for desiccant regeneration.
3. Further reduce daytime electric demand by providing sensible cooling (temperature control) at an energy-efficient, elevated temperature level appropriate to the task, or by incorporating gas-energized refrigeration systems for sensible cooling.

In order to make such systems practical and cost-effective for a wide range of building types, the author has developed several desiccant cooling HVAC systems that integrate these energy-cost-saving techniques in such a way that the first cost also is reduced and is competitive with conventional all-air refrigerated HVAC systems. Described are the integrated-system configurations, including all-electric, gas-electric, and all-gas options, and a specific building application.

Units: Dual

Citation: Symposium, ASHRAE Transactions, 1988, vol. 94, pt. 2, Ottawa

Product Details

Published:

1988

Number of Pages:

10

File Size:

1 file , 930 KB

Product Code(s):

D-OT-88-19-4