Maisotsenko-Cycle Assisted Desiccant Dehumidification System Configurations for Agricultural Product Storage

Agricultural products storage and postharvest losses are linked with optimal temperature humidity conditions. In this regard, desiccant air-conditioning (DAC) technology is investigated due to its ability to control the temperature and humidity distinctly. Six kinds of evaporative cooling-assisted DAC system configurations are thermodynamically investigated using heat/mass transfer balance for climatic conditions of Fukuoka (Japan). In case of S-II, S-IV, and S-VI configurations, there are no direct evaporative cooler (DEC) in regeneration air stream. These configurations provided higher dehumidification with less regeneration heat due to provision of regeneration air stream to heat exchanger at high dry bulb and low dew point temperatures. System configuration S-V achieved higher cooling capacity and thermal COP due to consideration of DEC on regeneration air stream without considering indirect evaporative cooler on supply air stream. Three efficient configurations (S-II, S-IV, and S-V) are further evaluated for agricultural product storage and other applications. The S-II configuration achieves latent load at regeneration temperature of 80 °C; however, the modification of two-stage cooling is suggested in S-II to achieve the sensible load for storage of agricultural products. It can also employ for greenhouse air conditioning even at low regeneration temperature depending upon the type and growth stage of the crop.