A DESICCANT DEHUMIDIFIER FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE HEATING

Vehicle heating requires a substantial amount of energy. Electric vehi cles (EVs) generate little waste heat, and using battery energy for he ating may consume a substantial fraction of the energy storage capacit y, reducing the vehicle range, which is one of the most important para meters in determining EV acceptability. This paper analyzes the applic ability of a desiccant dehumidifier for providing comfort heating in a n EV with reduced energy consumption. A dehumidifier can reduce the he ating load in a vehicle because it adsorbs the water vapor generated b y the passengers, thereby avoiding water condensation on the windows w ithout requiring a high external air ventilation rate or a high window temperature. The results indicate that the desiccant dehumidifier can reduce the steady-state heating loan by 60 percent or more under typi cal conditions. The reduction in heating load is such that waste heat may be enough to provide the required heating under most ambient condi tions. Desiccant system dimensions and weight appear reasonable Sor pa ckaging inside an EV.