Solar Energy
SDSU ME Senior Projects: Solar Desiccant Air Conditioner
SPRING 2009 - FALL 2009
A typical air conditioning system consists of a
refrigerant passing through a condenser where heat is
dissipated. Refrigerant vapor at
low pressure enters
the evaporator which
absorbs heat from the
surroundings.
Heat is removed
through the
compression and
condensing leading to
cooling the desired environment. The solar A/c system does not have a compression
cycle which reduces energy consumption.
It is also a more environmental friendly system, since
no ozone layer harming refrigerants are used. Instead,
water and water vapor from the air are manipulated.
Outside air is processed through a desiccant wheel
which removes the moisture from air. This process
reduces the air’s enthalpy and wet bulb temperature.
This air with a reduced relative humidity is passed
through a humidification cycle that cools the air further
and increases the humidity to a comfortable level.
To recover the absorptive properties of the desiccant
wheel, solar heated water goes through a water to air
heat exchanger to dry away moisture.
