A mathematical model for predicting the performance of a compound desiccant wheel (A model of compound desiccant wheel)

A mathematical model for predicting the performance of novel silica gel haloid compound desiccant wheel is established. Both the gas side resistance and the solid side resistance are considered in the model. It is found that the results of this model agree better to the experiments than the results of a former model which does not take the solid side resistance into account at all. Then the model is adopted to analyze the effects of some main parameters on system performance. It is found that the compound desiccant wheel has a better performance in a climate with moderate temperature or in a climate with high humidity ratio. Then under the basic conditions for the simulations (ambient air is of 35 °C, 15 g/kg and wheel thickness of 100 mm), an angle of the regeneration section between 100° and 160°, a regeneration temperature between 80 °C and 95 °C, a flow rate of process air between 2.0 m/s and 3.5 m/s and that of regeneration air between 2.5 m/s and 3.5 m/s are recommended. Also, there exists an optimal rotation speed to achieve the maximal moisture removal, which is about 12 r/h. At last, the influences of the main parameters on optimal rotation speed are discussed.