Desiccant Dehumidification with Hydronic Radiant Cooling System for Air Conditioning Applications in Humid Tropical Climates
Researchers:
Assoc. Prof. Ahmadul Ameen
Assoc. Prof. Zainal Alimuddin
Khizir Mahmud
In the search for an economical and comfortable alternative air conditioning system conforming to environmental standards, a hybrid system suitable for humid tropical climates has been conceived and built at Universiti Sains Malaysia. The hybrid system comprising a desiccant dehumidification system combined with chilled capacity because of the fact that chilled water temperature does not have to be below dew point temperature. Compared to conventional systems, this hybrid system provides superior comfort conditions because of substantial radiant heat transfer, low air draft and low humidity level.
The research established definite merit of the hybrid system when ventilation air requirement of the conventional system is above a certain threshold. For space loading of 0.1 kW per metre squared, any ventilation rate above 2 % for a conventional system offers opportunity for downsizing chiller capacity of the hybrid system. Based on an indicative energy analysis, the proposed hybrid system becomes more energy efficient compared to a conventional system when required ventilation rate is 30% and above.
It is also observed that for Malaysian climate, chilled ceiling panel temperature of 15 degree Celcius is more suitable when panel surface area is 70% of the available ceiling area. Humidity and room air velocities in the occupied zone are well within comfort requirements ranging from 40-65% and 0.1-0.25 m/s respectively. The study presents a design.operation guide of the hybrid system as well as a functional system that provides valuable operating data for performance evaluation.
For more information, contact
Assoc. Prof. Ahmadul Ameed
Universiti Sains Malaysia
(Contact details available to registered journalists)
