A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1982

In this thesis work a solar dehumidification system which is suitable for hot humid climates is being studied. The proposed method is based on dehumidification of air by using a liquid absorbent (calcium chloride) regenerated by solar energy. Two trickle type flat-plate solar collectors have been tested to regenerate a liquid absorbent solution of calcium chloride and to obtain in formation on the mass transfer coefficient of calcium chloride and the water desorption rate from the solution. The performance of the solar collector under changes in insolation, ambient air humidity and ambient temperature has been measured. The effectiveness of packed-column type absorption tower under changes in ambient air humidity, solution flow rate and solution temperature has also been measured. The average water desorption rate in the collector in fine weather from 8 a .m. to 4 p.m. was found to be 0.332 kg/m2 h, which can give 1/4 ton of air conditioning. Also , the regeneration efficiency of the col lector, which is the energy utilized for desorption of water vapor divided by the solar energy intercepted by the collector, was found to be in the range of 10% to 35% , and the mean absorption rate in the absorption tower was found to be0.214kg/h. Mass transfer co-efficient in the collector under different conditions were determined.