Solar Desiccant Cooling System for a Commercial Building in Kuwait’s Climatic Condition

Ramadas Narayanan, Abeer Abdullah Al Anazi, Roberto Pippia and Mohammad G. Rasul
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Ramadas Narayanan: Fuel & Energy Research Group, School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, QLD 4670, Australia
Abeer Abdullah Al Anazi: School of Engineering, Australian Univeristy, Kuwait, Safat 13015, Kuwait
Roberto Pippia: Fuel & Energy Research Group, School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, QLD 4670, Australia
Mohammad G. Rasul: Fuel & Energy Research Group, School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: The use of air conditioning in buildings to provide a comfortable environment accounts for up to 75% of the electricity consumed in Kuwait for the hot season from April through to the end of October. The widespread adoption of air conditioning systems in buildings has resulted in an increased demand for electricity. This has led to an increased peak load demand that has resulted in a larger carbon footprint and placed the electricity grid under significant strain. Heat-driven air conditioning systems that use solar energy are now emerging as alternatives to electricity-driven conventional refrigerated air conditioners. These systems are more energy-efficient, with lower carbon emissions while also ensuring better indoor air quality and comfort when optimally designed. Among the heat-driven air conditioning systems, the desiccant cooling system is among the systems with the most potential. This paper presents a numerical investigation of the design optimization of solar desiccant cooling systems for Kuwait’s climate. The numerical model of the system is developed using validated components. The various design configurations analysed include a solar heating system and regeneration air for the desiccant wheel. It is found that an evacuated tube solar collector in conjunction with return air from the building to regenerate the desiccant wheel provides the best results.

Keywords: air conditioning; desiccant cooling; numerical modelling; solar collector (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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