A New Approach for the Heat and Moisture Transfer in Desiccant Wheels Concerning Air Stream Velocity

Abstract

Many investigators have presented mathematical work on desiccant wheels but there is a considerable discrepancy between published values and experimental values. A mathematical model based on the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equation has been derived to show the dehumidification trend of desiccant dehumidifier concerning air stream velocity. In this model the effect of air stream velocity on wheel performance as a momentum equation combined with heat and mass transfer has been studied.The current model is capable of predicting the transient and steady-state transport in a desiccant wheel. It reveals the moisture and temperature in both the airflow channels and the sorbent felt, in detail, as a function of time. The predicted results are validated against the data taken from experimental results, with reasonable accuracy. Therefore, the numerical model is a practical tool for understanding and accounting for the complicated coupled operational process inside the wheel. Consequently, it is useful for parameter studies.

Keywords

• desiccant wheel
• heat transfer
• mathematical model
• mass transfer
• explicit program