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Optimization of a heat assisted air-conditioning system comprising membrane and desiccant technologies for applications in tropical climates.
- Source :
-
Energy . Apr2016, Vol. 101, p52-64. 13p. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Separating dehumidification and cooling loads in air-conditioning systems has been proven to be a potential strategy to reduce electricity consumption if the dehumidification of air is mostly performed by heat-powered system components. Referring to experimental experiences in Singapore, this paper presents a novel electricity-efficient air-conditioning system consisting of a membrane unit, an evaporatively cooled sorptive dehumidification system (called ECOS system) and a high-efficient conventional cooling unit. The dehumidification of air is performed by a combination of the membrane unit and the ECOS system, and the sensible cooling of air is accommodated by a high-efficiency conventional chiller and in part by the membrane device. In order to find an optimized balance of the three air-conditioning components, an optimization-based simulation approach using a genetic algorithm is developed. The optimization is based on a simple objective function that comprises operating and investment costs. The optimization results reveal that an integration of a relatively large membrane unit, a small ECOS unit and a chiller operating at an elevated evaporation temperature is the most cost effective combination meeting comfort criteria. The resulting optimized combination has potential to save more than 50% of the system's lifetime operating cost compared to conventional systems supplying 100% fresh air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03605442
- Volume :
- 101
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Energy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 115368156
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.02.007