Solar Assisted Solid Desiccant—Vapor Compression Hybrid Air-Conditioning System

Solar assisted solid desiccant—vapor compression based hybrid space cooling system for building thermal comfort is made by integrating desiccant based dehumidification system as well as by use of solar heating system along with conventional VCR system. This is because in humid climates, excessive humidity during summer leading to inefficiencies of conventional cooling devices. Humidity increment in ambient air as well as ventilation requirement suddenly rises the latent load of the space to be cooled. Conventional VCR systems are not effective in handling both temperature and relative humidity of cooling air independently. The application of solid desiccant based hybrid cooling systems significantly ameliorates the humidity control irrespective of temperature of supply air. The application of renewable free energy like as use of solar energy for regenerating the desiccant used in desiccant wheel helps us to alleviate the major requirement of electric energy needed by conventional VCR air-conditioning system for hot sunny days. So, it ameliorates overall energy efficiency and reduces energy costs. Performance of solid desiccant—vapor compression based hybrid building space comfort cooling system has been evaluated during hot and humid period from April to September for the ambient conditions of the Roorkee for various important parameters such as temperatures of supply air, room air and regeneration air etc. Regeneration temperature is one of the most important parameters having the key role in changing the performance of desiccant based cooling system.