Heat recovery heat pump operating with a desiccant loop in A.C. systems

This paper deals with the application of heat recovery heat pump operating with a liquid desiccant loop provided with membrane vapour exchangers in air-conditioning systems. The application investigated achieves enthalpy recovery between the renewal air and the exhaust air. The system operates by means of two membranes contactors: the first one acts on the renewal air flow and the second on the discharged air flow. A heat pump chills the solution entering into the first contactor and heats the solution at the inlet of the second one. In the present study, summer climatic conditions are considered. During this season, the renewal air, which is warm and humid, is dehumidified and cooled, while the exhaust air, which is cold and dry, is used to regenerate the solution. The analysis has been carried out by means of a SIMULINK program able to investigate the performances of the system. Results of simulations show considerable energy saving.