Effectiveness of heat and mass transfer processes in a packed bed liquid desiccant dehumidifier/regenerator

Seasonal performance simulations of liquid desiccant cooling systems provid e valuable information for developing cost-competitive and energy efficient alternatives to conventional air conditioning techniques. To ensure reliab le simulation results, component models must be based on and verified by ex perimental data. This paper presents closed-form performance correlations f or the effectiveness of heat and mass transfer processes in a packed bed de humidifier/regenerator. The physical phenomena relevant to the heat and mas s transfer in these devices has been used to develop a novel set of correla tions based on the relevant nondimensional parameters. A large body of prev iously reported experimental data, including results recently obtained by t he present authors, was used in deriving the correlations. The key improvem ents offered by these newly developed correlations include the applicabilit y for both dehumidification and regeneration, inclusion of proper nondimens ional parameters such as wettability, and extension in range of validity. T he number of different studies used makes these correlations valid for broa d ranges of conditions encountered in packed bed liquid desiccant dehumidif iers and regenerators.