Dynamic Evaluation of Desiccant Dehumidification Evaporative Cooling Options for Greenhouse Air-Conditioning Application in Multan (Pakistan)

Hadeed Ashraf, Muhammad Sultan, Redmond R. Shamshiri, Farrukh Abbas, Muhammad Farooq, Uzair Sajjad, Hafiz Md-Tahir, Muhammad H. Mahmood, Fiaz Ahmad, Yousaf R. Taseer, Aamir Shahzad and Badar M. K. Niazi
Additional contact information
Hadeed Ashraf: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bosan Road, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Muhammad Sultan: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bosan Road, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Redmond R. Shamshiri: Department of Engineering for Crop Production, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, 14469 Potsdam-Bornim, Germany
Farrukh Abbas: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bosan Road, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Muhammad Farooq: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 39161, Pakistan
Uzair Sajjad: Mechanical Engineering Department, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
Hafiz Md-Tahir: College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Muhammad H. Mahmood: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bosan Road, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Fiaz Ahmad: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bosan Road, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Yousaf R. Taseer: Department of Building and Architectural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bosan Road, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Aamir Shahzad: Office of the Deputy Director Agriculture (Water Management), Punjab Agriculture Department, Officers Colony, Muzaffargarh Road, Jauharabad, Khushab 41000, Pakistan
Badar M. K. Niazi: Agricultural Engineering Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Park Road, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: This study provides insights into the feasibility of a desiccant dehumidification-based Maisotsenko cycle evaporative cooling (M-DAC) system for greenhouse air-conditioning application. Conventional cooling techniques include direct evaporative cooling, refrigeration systems, and passive/active ventilation. which are commonly used in Pakistan; however, they are either not feasible due to their energy cost, or they cannot efficiently provide an optimum microclimate depending on the regions, the growing seasons, and the crop being cultivated. The M-DAC system was therefore proposed and evaluated as an alternative solution for air conditioning to achieve optimum levels of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) for greenhouse crop production. The objective of this study was to investigate the thermodynamic performance of the proposed system from the viewpoints of the temperature gradient, relative humidity level, VPD, and dehumidification gradient. Results showed that the standalone desiccant air-conditioning (DAC) system created maximum dehumidification gradient (i.e., 16.8 g/kg) and maximum temperature gradient (i.e., 8.4 °C) at 24.3 g/kg and 38.6 °C ambient air conditions, respectively. The DAC coupled with a heat exchanger (DAC+HX) created a temperature gradient nearly equal to ambient air conditions, which is not in the optimal range for greenhouse growing conditions. Analysis of the M-DAC system showed that a maximum air temperature gradient, i.e., 21.9 °C at 39.2 °C ambient air condition, can be achieved, and is considered optimal for most greenhouse crops. Results were validated with two microclimate models (OptDeg and Cft) by taking into account the optimality of VPD at different growth stages of tomato plants. This study suggests that the M-DAC system is a feasible method to be considered as an efficient solution for greenhouse air-conditioning under the climate conditions of Multan (Pakistan).

Keywords: desiccant dehumidification; evaporative cooling; Maisotsenko cycle; greenhouse air-conditioning; Pakistan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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