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Procedia Engineering00 (2017) 000–000
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Procedia Engineering 205 (2017) 2807–2814

10th International Symposium on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, ISHVAC2017, 19-
22 October 2017, Jinan, China

Study on Solar Liquid Desiccant Air-conditioning Systems in

Xiamen
Xiaoqiang Honga,b, Li Lia,b, *, Wenqiong Hea, Yuxiao Gea, and Siwei Xua
aSchool of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Jimei University,Xiamen 361021,China
a

bb
Cleaning Combustion and Energy Utilization Research Center of Fujian Province, Jimei University,Xiamen 361021,China

Abstract

This paper mainly focuses on the applicability of solar liquid desiccant air conditioning in Xiamen area. We has carried out the
following research works: the principle and the feasibility analysis of the solar liquid desiccant air conditioning; design of the
solar solution liquid desiccant system; the analysis of solar energy utilization potential combined with the characteristics of
Xiamen climate. Based on the economic analysis of the solar desiccant air conditioning in Xiamen, the applicability of the system
was prospected.
© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 10th International Symposium on Heating, Ventilation and Air
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 10th International Symposium on Heating, Ventilation and
Conditioning.
Air Conditioning.
Keywords:Type your keywords here, separated by semicolons ;

1. SOLAR ENERGY UTILIZATION POTENTIAL OF XIAMEN

Xiamen is one of the best economic developing city in Fujian Province. However because of the lack of energy
resources and the high traditional energy dependence, Xiamen is a typical energy input area, and its energy resources
are very scarce. Xiamen has favorable conditions in the use of solar energy resources. So the solar energy resources
utilization is of great significance to the hazard of the prevention of traditional energy. The annual average sunshine
time in Xiamen is 1953 hours, and the average annual radiation is 5378MJ/m2. Solar energy resources in Xiamen are
relatively stable and rich. From May to September, it is the peak demand for the use of solar energy resources, and
the average amount of radiation at this time in the 500MJ/m2 or more.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +86-592-6183391; fax: +86-592-6183523.

E-mail address: LLi@jmu.edu.cn

1877-7058 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility ofthe scientific committee of the 10th International Symposium on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

1877-7058 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 10th International Symposium on Heating, Ventilation and
Air Conditioning.
10.1016/j.proeng.2017.09.893
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2 Xiaoqiang Hong et al./ Procedia Engineering00 (2017) 000–000

Figure 1 shows the change of total solar radiation in Xiamen City, from China Building Thermal Environment
Analysis Special Meteorological Data [1].As shown in Figure 1, Xia-men's solar radiation throughout the year is
rich and stable, especially during March to October the total radiation is high, especially suitable for Xiamen liquid
desiccant air conditioning. Xiamen has 49% of the number of days per year, which the sunshine time is more than 6
hours, so the potential of solar resource utilization and availability of the solar resources is very high.

Fig. 1. The total solar radiation changes map of Xiamen.

2. SCHEME DESIGNOFSOLARDEHUMIDIFICATIONSYSTEM

Solar liquid desiccant air conditioning system is composed of two major core modules: solar collectors and air
cooling and liquid desiccant. The performance of solar collectors in the collector regeneration module is an
important factor affecting the use of solar thermal energy. The efficiency of the regeneration process of the re-
generator determines the thermal storage capacity of the solar energy and also affects the corresponding air
desiccant process, and the final result of the fresh air treatment depends on the merits of the dehumidifier. Therefore,
the two core modules are the key factors that affect the overall performance of the solar liquid desiccant system, and
the optimization of the system process is of great significance to improve the overall performance of the system.

2.1. Solar Collector Regeneration Module

Solar collector and solution regeneration process has a variety of forms. According to the de-gree of the
combination of regeneration, the process is generally divided into composite heat recovery and separation heat
recovery. In the former one, the solution is heated and regenerated in the same equipment, while the latter one is in
the different equipment. In this paper we focuses on the composite regenerative type (i.e. collector regenerator), as
shown in Figure 2 [2].
The regenerative type solar collector is mainly composed of a transparent glass cover, a heat absorbing plate, a
dispenser, a heat insulating layer, liquid film layer, selective absorbing coating, and an air layer. The solar radiation
through the transparent glass cover and the air layer is absorbed by the selective absorption coating. The diluted
desiccant solution flows out of the liquid dispenser and slips down along the slab to form a layer of liquid film to
absorb the heat from the plate with absorbing coating. The temperature rises continuously and the water in the
desiccant solution absorbs heat and is vaporized and carried by the air layer of air away. After that the dilute
solution turns into a concentrated solution. The regenerated concentrated solution can flow to the reservoir in the
form of chemical energy that stored in reserve, or it can also directly flow to the dehumidifier to continue treat the
air.
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Xiaoqiang Hong et al./ Procedia Engineering 00 (2017) 000–000 3

According to the differences of the control methods, solar collector regeneration system is divided into the
circulating type and the directing type. Most of the systems use directing type. In order to overcome the
shortcomings of the traditional directing type regenerative system, we designed that when the temperature of the
solution does not reach the set value, the regeneration of the solution tank cycle continuously accept the solar
radiation until the temperature reaches the set value. After that the system opens the damper ventilation to achieve
the process of regeneration of the solution.

Fig. 2. Solar collector regeneration structure.

2.2. Air desiccant Cooling Module

The desiccant cooling module in the system mainly achieves the independent control of the temperature and
humidity of the new wind system. The desiccant cooling module used in Figure 3 is the pre-cooling type, which can
simultaneously achieve the desiccant and cooling requirements of the outdoor wind[3].

Fig. 3. Pre-cooling type outdoor wind desiccant cooling module.

Outdoor high temperature and moist air is firstly cooled by the heat exchanger H2, and then flows into the
dehumidifier experiencing the heat and moisture exchange, due to the water partial pressure difference, the excess
water in the treated air is transferred to the concentrated solution in the dehumidifier, and releasing a large amount
of latent heat. The heat exchanger H1 adjusts the temperature of the solution in the dehumidifier by controlling the
flow rate of the high temperature cold water. And since the air to be treated has been cooled down in the heat
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exchanger H2, the air flows through the dehumidifier desiccant can reach the pre-set humidity. It can be sent directly
to the indoor room to remove the moisture in the air, which can improve the quality of the indoor air.

2.3. Designs of Two Systems

Different conditions of use of desiccant systems have different requirements and different design of solar liquid
desiccant air conditioning system [3-5]. According to the different pre-cooling medium for fresh air, the following
two kinds of solar liquid desiccant air condition are considered, " closed regenerative solar liquid desiccant system
with return air heat recovery " and " direct circulation solar liquid desiccant system with fresh air pre-cooler ".
Figure 4 shows a closed solar liquid desiccant system [3,6]. The sys-tem is mainly composed of wind system,
solar hot water system and solution system. The operation of each part of the process are as follows: 1) wind system:
the high temperature and moist fresh air from the outdoor flows into the fan with a full heat recovery device,
through the concentrated solution the water is absorbed and the fresh air turns into dry air. Indoor low temperature
dry return air through the fan turns into high temperature and moist air and exhausted after fully heat recovery. 2)
solar hot water system: the hot water from the water tank was cooled after heating the solution, and then flowed to
the collector to absorb the solar energy, and then return to the water tank to complete a cycle. Solar energy firstly
heats the hot water, and then hot water heats dilute solution. After the dilute solution is heated, the mixture was
concentrated to a concentrated solution in a closed re-generator. 3) solution system: after absorbing the water in high
temperature and moist air, concentrated solution is treated into the dilute solution and flows back to the dilute
solution tank waiting for regeneration. The dilute solution flows through the re-generator, and is heated by solar heat
water and turns back to the concentrated solution, and then flows to the concentrated solution tank in reserve. The
program has the advantage of being able to directly use the existing mature solar hot water system, suitable for a
variety of conditions and operating conditions, and summer indoor air cooling energy can be recycled.

Fig. 4. Closed regenerative solar liquid desiccant system.

Figure 5 shows a direct recycle solar liquid desiccant system with fresh air pre-cooler[3]. The system is mainly
composed of solar collector, auxiliary heat source, regenerated solution tank, dilute solution tank, concentrated
solution tank, heat exchanger and dehumidifier. It is divided into fresh air cooling desiccant module and collector
regeneration module. 1) fresh air cooling desiccant module: outdoor high temperature and moist air is treated firstly
flows through the heat exchanger H2, and then flows into the dehumidifier and concentrated solution. The solution
absorbs the water vapor into a dilute solution, so that the high temperature and moist air becomes a low temperature
 Xiaoqiang Hong et al. / Procedia Engineering 205 (2017) 2807–2814 2811
Xiaoqiang Hong et al./ Procedia Engineering 00 (2017) 000–000 5

dry air for the indoor supply. 2) collector regeneration module: the dilute solution flows into the solar collector for
regeneration until it becomes the concentrated solution. In order to prevent the unstable character of sun radiation, a
auxiliary heat source is set to assist the heating of the solution. And dilute solution tank, concentrated solution tank
and regeneration solution tank act as temporary storages. The concentrated solution tank is also used to save the
desiccant requirements of the regeneration of concentrated solution to prepare desiccant peak.

Fig. 5. New cycle of solar liquid desiccant air conditioning system.

3. CASE ANALYSIS OF SOLAR SOLUTION DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM

We will analyze a typical building with the specific circumstances of Xiamen to explore the applicability and the
economical efficiency of solar liquid desiccant air conditioning system.

3.1. Project Description

The project is an office building in Xiamen, with a total area of about 700 m2 and the office staffs. Xiamen is
subtropical monsoon climate, belongs to the hot summer and warm winter area, and it does not need to consider the
winter heating. The system in summer is both cooling and desiccant, and there is no difference with the traditional
air condition, so the following only discusses the applicability of the solar desiccant air conditioning system in the
typical desiccant alone period from March to May.

3.2. Load Calculation

Design parameters: As the solar liquid desiccant air conditioning in desiccant alone period is only responsible for
desiccant without changing the air temperature, so the indoor design temperature is the outdoor air temperature, and
the relative humidity is set to 60 %.
New air volume calculation: the amount of fresh air per person in the office is 30m³/h.p. The total amount of
fresh air is 70×30 = 2100m³/h.
Wet load calculation: ignore the other wet source, the main calculation of the amount of moisture. According to
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the adult man's moisture content g = 102 g/h, the number of n = 70 people, assuming the same number of men and
women in the office, the cluster coefficient β = 0.92, indoor heat source load equation:

Wn =Wp = g.n.β (1)

where Wn is the indoor heat source wet load, g/h; Wp is the total amount of moisture, g/h. The data into the
formula Wn = 6569g/h.
The air consumption of the air supply point is calculated as:

Wn
ds = dn −
G .ρ (2)

where ds is the supply air moisture content, g/kg (a); dn is the indoor air moisture content, g/kg (a); G is the fresh
air volume, m³/h; ρ is the air density, kg/m³.
It can be introduced liquid desiccant equipment by the amount of desiccant:

Wτ = (dw − ds )τ ⋅ Gτ ⋅ ρ / 1000 (3)

where dw is the outdoor air moisture content, g/kg (a); (dw-ds)τ is the difference between outdoor air and indoor air
supply moisture content at τ time, g/kg (a); Gτ is the amount of fresh air at τ time, m³/h;

4. Equipment Selection

4.1. Fresh air unit technical parameters

The amount of fresh air required for the office is 2100m³/h. As the current wind turbine level on the market is
low, the nearest fresh air unit with a rated air flow of 2000m³/h can be selected. The technical parameters of the
fresh air unit are shown in Table 1 below.
As can be seen from Table 1 above, the number of hours that capacity is greater than 30 kg/h is only 0.05% of the
total number of hours, so the fresh air unit meets the actual working conditions.

Table 1. New wind turbine technical parameters table.

power supply Air volumem³/h Desiccant capacitykg/h
380V/50Hz 2000 30

4.2. Solar collector area S and the total amount of solution M

Using a plate collector, the efficiency η1 = 0.5, re-generator regeneration efficiency η2 = 0.8. Using lithium
bromide solution, concentrated solution of the solubility of 50%, dilute solution of the solubility of 45%. According
to the current market price, flat plate collector price is 1,200 RMB/m2, the concentration of 50% of the lithium
bromide solution price of 25 RMB/kg. The relationship between the initial investment C and the collector area S and
the total amount of solution M is:

C=0.12S+0.0025M (4)

Define the unsatisfied rate a as a percentage of the total heat required for the auxiliary heat source, and a is the
function of the solar collector area S and the total amount of solution[7]. The case design requires a <0.3, the
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relationship between the unsatisfied rate a and the optimal initial investment is shown in Figure 6.
As can be seen from Figure 6, the best initial investment of 323,000 RMB. The optimal collector area S is 165 m2,
the total amount of solution M is 5000kg.
According to the set and calculation, the maximum auxiliary heating should be able to produce 362 kg/h
concentrated solution, that is, auxiliary power should be at least 32.6 kW.

Fig. 6. The relationship between the initial investment C and the unsatisfied rate a at Air volume of 2000m³/h.

4.3. The choice of re-generator

The maximum heat collection with the area of 165 m2 is 532.7MJ/h, which can produce a total of 1600kg
concentrated solution. The specific parameters are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Re-generator technical parameters.

Concentrated solution yield Hot water temperature Return water temperature difference
1600kg/h 70℃ 15℃

4.4. Energy Conservation and Economic Analysis

The initial investment only calculate the liquid desiccant fresh air system, temporarily excluding high
temperature cold water system investment. The initial investment estimate is shown in Table 3.

Table 3. An example of a table.

Device name Use specifications Quantity Unit Price (RMB) Subtotal (104RMB)
New air unit 2000 m³/h 1 50000 4
Solution storage system Storage tank 4m³ 2 3000 0.6
Solution regeneration system Regeneration ability>1600kg/h 1 70000 7
Bromide solution concentration 55% 5000kg 25 12.5
Solar flat panel collectors 75℃-90℃ 165m³ 1200 19.8
Initial investment 43.9
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The solar energy efficiency of direct solar liquid desiccant air conditioning η = η1 • η2 is about 0.4. The energy
saving effect is significant. However, due to the prices of current solar collectors, solution re-generators and other
equipment is high, it results in a higher initial investment system, long payback period. So the economy of the
system is poor, and the system is not popularized in Xiamen currently. In the future, with the rise in energy costs,
solar collectors, solution re-generators and other equipment to reduce production costs, solar liquid desiccant air
conditioning application value will be apparent [7,8].

5. CONCLUSION

The energy-saving effect of solar liquid desiccant method is relatively significant. With the rising of energy costs,
solar collectors and the reduction of the costs of solution re-generators and other equipment, its advantages and the
feasibility of the application in Xiamen will be apparent.
Solar liquid desiccant air conditioning system uses low-grade solar energy as the main source of energy. It uses
liquid desiccant moisture absorption characteristics to absorb excess air in the air, so as to achieve the purpose of
desiccant, and then by heating the solution regeneration , make it be able to cycle re-use. The use of such renewable
energy can alleviate the cur-rent shortage of conventional non-renewable energy resources, to ease the concentration
of electricity is also important. Solar liquid desiccant air conditioning system also has the whole heat recovery,
compared with the conventional return air system, it can not only realize heat recovery, effectively use the energy,
but also avoid the fresh and return air pollution. Solar liquid desiccant air conditioning system is with large energy
storage capacity, do not need the deliberate thermal insulation, so that it can solve the problem of solar energy
intermittent.

Acknowledgements

The project was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (51508225), the Natural Science
Foundation of Fujian Province of China (2014J01202), the Education Department of Fujian Province(B16151) and
the Students Innovation Training (201510390064, 201710390105).

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