A Compact Low-Pressure Drop Desiccant Bed for Solar Air Conditioning Applications—2: Bench Scale Tests

Abstract

Bench scale tests of a laminar flow silica gel packing element are reported. The packing is based on a coated sheet concept with a single layer of 0.25 mm silica gel particles lining narrow passages of width 1.46–3.75 mm. Adsorption and desorption tests were performed for fixed inlet conditions and a uniform initial bed condition. Measured outlet air moisture contents and air temperatures were compared with theoretical predictions and reasonable agreement obtained. The major discrepancies appear to be system related, such as excessive air bypass and inaccurate accounting for heat loss from the sides of the unit.