Solar Energy developing in Thermal method Technology

Solar Energy developing in Thermal method Technology

Dr. S. Shanmugan, Assistant Professor in Physics

Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering, Manimangalam, Tambaram, Chennai.

Due to the nature of their occupants and processes we are in need for dry, germ free air. How can you achieve this comfort and health panacea without traditional increases in energy costs? It is through Liquid Desiccant Technology. These unique products are a recent addition to our ESI Energy Solutions methodology to decrease humidity, eliminate bacteria and cut your energy cost by as much as 60%. In addition, all these are achieved using a non-toxic, natural brine solution. Pretty cool, huh? 

From our friends at Wikipedia, the definition of a desiccant “is a hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness (desiccation) in its local vicinity in a moderately well-sealed container." The most common type we are all used too is the silica sand that is placed in electronics or clothing to absorb moisture during transport and packaging.

Desiccant dehumidification technology has a successful track record over more than 60 years for industrial applications such as product drying and corrosion prevention. It has also been used for many years in clean rooms, hospitals, museums, and other special cases requiring highly controlled humidity levels.

In a standard commercial air conditioning system where there is no desiccant material present, the air must be cooled below the dew point to remove the humidity. Then “warmed” back up to whatever the desired temperature of the supply air is required. This process requires significant energy.  In the commercial HVAC space, there are two types of desiccant solutions commonly available: solid and liquid. 

In a system where there is a solid desiccant material present, typically as the moisture is removed, there is heat released as part of the process. In the winter, this dry warm air can be used to augment the heat used for supply air. But in the summer time, this dry heat still needs to be cooled by evaporator coils, heat exchangers or evaporative coolers.  There goes more energy. In addition, to reuse the desiccant, it must be reactivated through a process in which moisture is removed by heat from another energy source. Again, more energy is needed. 

 

In a liquid desiccant air conditioning system, the technology allows the system to dehumidify and cool the air simultaneously, eliminating the need to overcool the air to control humidity. This thermodynamic short-cut takes you directly to the comfort zone, cutting your air conditioning workload by half or more.

Now, wouldn't it be great, if we could power this with renewable energy? That's exactly what Advantix Systems has done with its Hybrid Air Conditioning powered by solar thermal energy. Their DuCool-DuHybrid system is powered by solar thermal energy when available and automatically switches to electric power when needed. Based on the application, in the renewable energy mode; one of their units can generate 20TR (tons of refrigeration) of cooling and dehumidification using renewable sources of energy such as solar thermal and geothermal water.