Article ID: 16-06SI_OA
Air temperature distribution in an adsorbent desiccant rotor was measured for visualization of simultaneous heat and mass transfer in the rotor. Interpretation of the temperature distributions was carried out. At first, temperature distribution in a desiccant rotor at the optimal rotation speed was investigated. It was re-confirmed that the whole region of the direction of air flow of a rotor has not necessarily reached a regeneration temperatures. This state of regeneration balanced with the highly amount of adsorption. Purge air should be supplied to the rotor in the same direction as adsorption air. Otherwise, meaningless heat transfer arises inside a rotor and the adsorbent cooling effect of purge sector disappears. Adsorbent rotor, which shows the adsorption isotherm of S-shape, indicated a very unique temperature profiles in a regeneration zone. It can be understood that it is a phenomenon which arises when the relative humidity of regeneration air arrives at the relative humidity region where the amount of adsorption changes suddenly. Temperature distribution in a rotor could deeply reflect an adsorption / desorption behavior of water vapor onto / from the adsorbent rotor. It can be concluded measurement of the temperature distribution in a desiccant rotor is useful for visualization of the simultaneous heat and mass transfer phenomena in a desiccant rotor.
