Experimental analysis of hollow fiber membrane dehumidifier system with SiO2/CaCl2 aqueous desiccant solution

Abstract The liquid desiccant air conditioning system is amongst the promising technologies for the provision of efficient air conditioning, particularly in hot humid climate conditions. By their benefits, membrane-based dehumidification systems have drawn large attention. Various techniques are used to enhance the performance of different dehumidification system types. The effect of using calcium chloride nanofluid solution with the added silicate nanoparticles as a desiccant solution in a hollow fiber membrane contactor system investigated experimentally. The airflow rate through the fibers is 11.2 m3/h with inlet relative humidity and temperature of 60 % and 35 °C, respectively. The sensitivity analysis was made to reveal the effect of desiccant temperatures, nanoparticle concentrations, and solution flow rates on sensible, latent, and total effectiveness and 2nd law efficiency of the system. The results indicate that using nanofluid instead of a pure desiccant solution, the values of sensible and latent effectiveness improved at the condition of high inlet solution temperature. The effect of employing nanofluid on exergy performance is the highest for the highest concentration of nanoparticles and inlet solution temperature. The maximum change of exergy destruction rate resulted by using nanofluid solution took place at a maximum flow rate of 244 ml/min for 1% nanofluid concentration. Using 1 % nanofluid instead of a pure solution, the rate of exergy destruction increased by 82 % and 160 % for 20 °C and 26 °C solution temperatures, respectively.