Experimental analysis on chemical dehumidification of air in a packed column by hygroscopic salt solution: comparison between structured and random packings

This paper presents the experimental tests on chemical dehumidification of air by liquid desiccant carried out in a packed column with the hygroscopic solution H2O/LiBr. Two different absorption columns were tested: random packing consisting of 1” Pall Ring elements and a structured column MELLAPACK 250Y. The experimental set-up is fully described together with measurement, procedures and data reduction. The experimental tests are reported in term of humidity reduction, dehumidification efficiency and air side pressure drop. The experimental results are also compared against the values predicted by a one-dimensional simulation code of an adiabatic packed column. The experimental tests show that chemical dehumidification of air by liquid desiccant in an absorption column both with random and structured packing ensures consistent reduction in humidity ratio suitable for the application to air conditioning or drying processes. The structured column shows dehumidification rate and efficiency similar to the random column with air side pressure drop from 50 to 70% lower. Desiccant, Dehumidification, Packed Column, Random Packing, Structured Packing.