MODELING AND TESTING OF A SILICA-GEL PACKED-BED SYSTEM

A two-column packed-bed desiccant dehumidification system is tested an d analytically modeled. The results are consistent. The desiccant is a spherical silica gel particle with an average diameter of 5 mm. The l ength of the columns are individually 9, 15 and 24 cm. Three regenerat ion temperatures are used, namely, 65, 75 and 85-degrees-C. An optimum operating time period is obtained. The heat and mass transfer is anal yzed by using a solid-side resistance method with consideration of a f luid friction effect. The magnitude of the fluid friction effect is go verned by the Reynolds number and a nondimensional length factor. For a long column or a high inlet air velocity the fluid friction effect b ecomes significant.