Dynamic simulation methodology of a hybrid liquid desiccant system regenerated with solar energy to control humidity and temperature separately for an air conditioning application.

Abstract

Combination of liquid desiccant systems with conventional vapor compression chillers, which is usually called hybrid liquid desiccant systems (HLDS), are a promising alternative when a temperature and humidity control is required. One of the advantages of this technology is that it is possible to integrate different kinds of energy, particularly low temperature solar thermal energy, which may decrease the electrical consumption of the system. Typically the analysis of such conditioning systems is based on discrete steady-state simulations, which permits to know the system behaviour at design conditions; however, dynamic simulations may help to set an appropriate control strategy and to obtain the seasonal performance in this kind of systems Considering the above, this paper presents a methodology to develop a dynamic simulation of a HLDS by using the dynamic simulation software TRNSYS. In addition the definition of the control strategy and a performance evaluation have been carried out for a specific case with high latent loads and ambient humidity.