Analysis of Heat and Mass Transfer Between a Desiccant-Air System in a Packed Tower

Abstract

Heat and mass transfer analysis between a desiccant-air contact system in a packed tower has been studied in application to air dehumidification employing liquid desiccant, namely calcium chloride. Ceramic 2 in. Raschig rings are used as the packing material. To predict the tower performance, a steady-state model which considers the heat and mass transfer resistances of the gas phase and the mass transfer resistance of the liquid phase is developed. The governing equations are solved on a digital computer to simulate the performance of the tower. The various parameters such as the effect of liquid concentration and temperature, air temperature and humidity and the rates of flow of air and liquid affecting the tower performance have been discussed.