Experimental Investigation on a Rotary Regenerator Operating at Low Temperatures

Abstract

This work investigated the operation conditions of a rotary regenerator operating at low regeneration temperatures, which is widely used in solar desiccant air conditioning systems. A rigorous experimental rig that facilitates the measurement of axial, radial, and angular airflow temperature distribution is used. The measurements covered balanced flow at a wide range of rotational speeds (0–24 rpm), regeneration temperatures (40–70°C), and airflow rates (160–530 kg/h). The influences of those parameters on the rotary regenerator effectiveness are presented. The results revealed that the critical effectiveness occurs at 5 rpm (equivalent to 4≤Cr∗≤13). This is lower than that for rotary regenerators operating at high regeneration temperatures and airflow rates. The results also concluded that the Kays and London correlation is sufficient for rotary regenerators operating at low regeneration temperatures. It predicted the experimental data with an average absolute percent deviation of 6.34.