Experimental evaluation and climate-specific selection criteria for integrated solid desiccant–evaporative cooling
International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, cilt.178, sa.P5, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 178 Sayı: P5
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2026.111918
- Dergi Adı: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: COP, Dew-point evaporative cooling, Hybrid desiccant system, Köppen climate classification, Solid desiccant air-conditioning
- Kocaeli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Conventional vapor compression systems provide effective temperature control but lack precise humidity regulation. This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation of three solid desiccant-integrated cooling systems designed to decouple sensible and latent cooling loads: a desiccant-integrated dew-point evaporative cooler (DI-DPEC), a desiccant-integrated hybrid cooling system (DI-HCS), and a traditional desiccant cooling system with a direct evaporative cooler (DCS-DEC). A standardized testing protocol was designed to match Köppen climate classifications to evaluate system performance under a wide range of inlet air temperatures (27–45 °C), humidity ratios (12–18 g/kg), and regeneration temperatures (60–80 °C). Performance was assessed using thermal coefficient of performance, cooling capacity, and supply air conditions. Results demonstrate a clear trade-off between efficiency and capacity. The DI-DPEC consistently achieved highest energy efficiency, with thermal COP of 0.7–0.9 across multiple climates at moderate regeneration temperatures, owing to its dew-point evaporative cooling mechanism, which provides effective cooling without moisture addition. In contrast, the DI-HCS and DCS-DEC systems delivered higher cooling capacities but exhibited lower thermal COP values (0.4–0.6), constrained by higher thermal energy demands for regeneration. Notably, DI-DPEC maintained its performance advantage in hot and humid (Tropical) conditions, while DI-HCS showed competitive efficiency only at elevated humidity levels. This work provides novel, empirical criteria for climate-specific system selection, advancing the application of low-grade thermal energy for air conditioning. The findings underscore DI-DPEC as the better adaptable and energy-efficient solution for humid and hot climates, offering critical guidance for the design and deployment of sustainable cooling technologies.