Experimental study and simulation of a solid desiccant cooling system installed in northern Algeria

An experimental investigation of a solid desiccant cooling system for a research laboratory on the Algerian coast has been carried out. The system utilized flat-plate solar collectors for regeneration and was evaluated through a combination of individual component characterization, system modeling (using TRNSYS), and experimental validation. The results obtained have been validated and show that the efficiency of the rotary heat exchanger reached 65 %, the evaporative humidifier efficiency reached 94 %, and the desiccant wheel achieved efficiencies of 73 % on the process side and 66 % on the regeneration side. This translates to a significant dehumidification effect, reducing absolute humidity in the treated air by 9 g/kg, for the supply air temperature effectively maintained at a comfortable 24 degrees C. The close agreement between the simulated and experimental COP values (1.13 and 1.08, respectively) validates the chosen approach and confirms the potential of this technology for energy-efficient building cooling in the hot and humid Mediterranean climate of northern Algeria.