Second law analysis of chemical dehumidification systems

In this paper a second law analysis is developed for two different dehumidification systems: an open-cycle absorption system based on a packed-bed tower with liquid desiccant and a dynamic adsorption system based on a desiccant silicagel wheel. The performance of both systems is also compared with a conventional HVAC. The most relevant outcome of this study is that the exergy efficiency of chemical dehumidification systems is rather low, and is lower than a conventional HVAC. This is attributable to the high temperature required by the desiccant reactivation Under the hypotesis of the present study liquid desiccant system shows a higher irreversibility production than the adsorption system.