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Solar Humidity Controller: Project Guide
Solar Humidity Controller: Project Guide
Project Guide:
Dr. A. K. Pratihar
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Team Members:
Vishal Malik (53746)
Nenshi Katiyar (52329)
Sneha Sahu (52313)
• Introduction
• Importance of Solar Humidity Controller
• Working Cycle
• Components and Design of Solar Humidity
Controller
Contents • Calculations
• Solar Air Heater
• Dehumidification
• Humidification
• Conclusion
• References
Introduction:
• The need for usage of renewable energy is currently more than ever because of rapid energy
consumption rate. EIA projects that nearly 50% increase in world energy usage by 2050, led by growth
in Asia.
• With increasing demand of energy and degradation of environment, we need to increase usage of clean
energy and reduce non ecofriendly devices.
• We all can know the comfort of the air conditioners in summers as well as in winters. A controlled
humid environment is a necessity for industries and residents.
• Thus, by reducing the load on air conditioning systems, our project has the potential to fulfill the
requirement for clean energy humidity controlling systems.
Importance of Solar Humidity Controller:
• Solar Humidity Controller performs both Humidification & Dehumidification processes. Therefore, it
can maintain humidity in both summers and winters.
• BNEF expects electricity demand from residential and commercial air conditioning to increase by more
than 140% by 2050. Currently, production of electricity uses nonrenewable resources. but Solar
Humidity Controller is mainly run by solar energy. It can be used in places with inaccessible electricity
like villages.
• This system has potential to maintain humidity in industries as well.
• As it uses renewable energy, it'll save a lot of money and it will contribute towards sustainable
development.
• It also performs air filtration process.
• Running cost of this system is lesser than other existing system.
• This system has less moving parts, results in less maintenance cost.
• Design and operation of Solar Humidity Controller is ecofriendly as it doesn’t use or produce any
harmful substances.
Working Cycle:
Components and design of Solar Humidity
Controller:
Desiccant wheel:
• It is a type of sorption dehumidifier, uses a solid desiccant and it is coated
on the supporting rotor structure.
• Rotational speed of the wheel varies commonly within the range of 6–12
rotations per hour in the dehumidifier mode and 8–14 rotations per hour
for the enthalpy recovery mode.
• The common desiccant materials in use are silica gel, zeolite molecular sieve, lithium
chloride, and activated alumina.
• Better Weldability (Joinability): Ability of any material (usually metals and its alloys) to weld with
similar materials without any defect. It is excellent for welding and produces tough and ductile welds.
• Better Formability: Ability of sheet metal to be formed into a desired shape without necking
or cracking.
• Better Corrosion Resistant: Corrosion is a process in which a material is oxidized in the environment
that causes the material to lose electrons. Corrosion resistance is the capacity to hold
the binding energy of a metal and withstand the deterioration and chemical breakdown that would
otherwise occur when the material is exposed to such an environment.
• Heat Resistance: It is a heat property and a measurement of a temperature difference by which
object or material resists a heat flow. It does not respond to heat treatment, but can be cold worked to
increase tensile strength and hardness. Annealing is recommended after forging and cold working.
Design
of
Solar
Humidity
Controller
Calculations for Solar Air Heater:
Consider the slice of solar heater of length L1=2m • hr = 4 σTav3 / [ (1/ εa) + (1/ εb) -1]
and width L2=1m
• • Collector is tilted at 45° when the radiation
incident in the collector is 900W/m2.
• Plate to cover spacing is 20 mm.
• Ambient temperature is 45°C.
• Emittance of absorber and cover plate is 0.95.
• Neglect heat loss from bottom and sides.
Assumptions: • Mass flow rate of is 0.056 kg/s.
• For small temperature difference between absorber • Average plate temperature is 70°C.
and bottom plates (Tpm4 - Tbm4) can be approximate • Top loss coefficient is 3.3 W/m2 °C, the overall
as 4Tav3(Tpm- Tbm); loss coefficient is 4.3W/m2 °C.
• Where, Tav = Average Temperature of two • The radiation coefficient between the 2-air
plates including duct surface is estimated by assuming a mean
radiant temperature equal to the mean fluid
• equivalent radiative heat transfer temperature.
coefficient hr.
• The radiation coefficient between the 2-air = (0.056*(2*0.01)) / ((0.01*1) *2.04*10-5 )
duct surface is estimated by assuming a mean radiant
temperature equal to the mean fluid temperature. =5490
With an estimated mean fluid temperature at 70°C: Length to diameter ratio (L / Dh) = 2 / (2*0.01)
We have,
= 100
hr = 4 σTav3 / [ (1/ εa) + (1/ εb) -1]
Since, Re > 2100 and L / Dh is also large;
Flow will be Turbulent and fully developed.
(4* 5.67*10-8*3433)/[(1/0.95)+ (1/0.95)-1]
Nu = 0.0158* Re0.8 =15.5
= 8.28W/m2 °C
The heat transfer coefficients between the air and 2 duct Heat transfer coefficient inside the duct is h1 and
walls will be assumed to be equal. The characteristic h2;
length is hydraulic diameter, which for flat plates is
twice the plate spacing. h= (15.5*k) / Dh
The Reynolds number, at an assumed average fluid = (15.5*0.029) / (2*0.01)
temperature of 70°C is,
Re = ρVDh / µ = ṁDh / Af µ = 22 W/m2 °C
From fig. h1 = h2= h = 7.52*[1 – e(-1/7.52)] = 0.93
FR = F” *F’
= (0.93*0.87)
= 0.8091
F’ = {1+ [(UL) / (h + ((1/h) + (1/hr))-1]}-1
The useful gain for the system, Qu=
= {1+ [(4.3) / (22 + ((1/22) + (1/8.3))-1]}-1 Ac FR*[ S –UL*(Ti – Ta)]
= 0.87
Case 1: When inlet temperature is 35°C during July for
the process of
The dimensionless capacitance rate is = (ṁCp / AcULF’)
Dehumidification; Ti = 35°C
= ((0.056*1006) / (2*4.3*0.87)
Qu = 2* 0.80* [(900*0.82) – 4.3*(35 – 40)]
= 7.52
= 1146 Watt
F” = (ṁCp / AcULF’)*[1 – exp(AcULF’ / ṁCp)]
Then, Outlet Temperature (T0) = [Ti + (Qu / ṁCp)] Case 2b-: When inlet temperature is 10°C
for humidification process;
T0 = [35 + (1146 / (0.056*1006)] =55°C
Ti = 10°C
Case 2a: When inlet temperature is 22°C during
November for the process of humidification; Qu = 2* 0.80* [(900*0.82) – 4.3*(10 – 40)]
= 1387.2 W
Ti = 22°C
Qu = 2* 0.80* [(900*0.82) – 4.3*(22 – 40)] Then, Outlet Temperature (T0) = [Ti + (Qu / ṁCp)]
= 1056 Watt T0 = [10 + (1387.2 / (0.056*1006)]
Then, Outlet Temperature (T0) = [Ti + (Qu / ṁCp)] =34.62°C =35°C
T0 = [22 + (1056 / (0.056*1006)]
=40.745°C =41°C
For Dehumidification: Mass of water vapor =
Absolute Humidity (AH)*Volume of air
Volume of Room (air) = 3m* 3m*3m = 27m3
= 38.399*27g
We will take data for July month i.e., most
humid month of the year = 1,036.773g = 1.036kg
Case 1: When Room temperature = 35°C Case 2: When Room Temperature =35°C
References Thermal Processes (4th ed.). New Jersy: John Wiley & Sons.
• Humidity Calculator. (n.d.). Retrieved from rotronic
measurement solution: https://www.rotronic.com/en/contact-form
• Nag, P. K. (2013). Engineering Thermodynamics (Fifth ed.). New
Delhi, India: McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited.
• White, J. (2013, January). Litrature Review on absorption cooling
system. Retrieved from ReseachGate:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289127089_LITERATU
RE_REVIEW_ON_ADSORPTION_COOLING_SYSTEMS/figu
res?lo=1
• Wikipedia. (n.d.). Pump. Retrieved July 2021, from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pump
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