Halliday, S; Beggs, C and Muneer, T (1999) Is solar air conditioning feasible? Building Research & Information, 27(3), pp. 149-164. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
This paper examines the feasibility of desiccant cooling in UK climates, using gas-solar hybrid technology for regeneration. Desiccant cooling is a heat driven system. It has potential to reduce energy costs and environmental pollution, when compared with conventional vapour compression systems. The regeneration of the desiccant can be provided by any low temperature warm air or water source including waste heat, CHP, gas or solar. Heat recovery is also available. Gaia Research worked with Napier University to develop computer codes for the simulation of solar energy collection and hot water delivery to drive the desiccant cooling system, based on real meteorological data. A solar desiccant computer model was developed with the University of Leeds which analysed the energy consumption and costs associated with desiccant cooling using meteorological data for an inner London site in 1994. The study demonstrates that coupling the desiccant system to solar collectors produces significant savings in both running cost and CO2 emissions. The existing models of solar contribution and desiccant cooling will be refined. This will enable an assessment to be made of the UK opportunities for energy conservation and CO2 emission reduction in relation to latitude, internal design conditions, and real loads.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | air conditioning; alternative technology; desiccant; energy efficiency; passive design; solar |
| Index terms: | CO2 emissions, energy conservation, latitude, London, savings, passive design, coupling, energy consumption, pollution, meteorological data, cooling system, solar energy, recovery, compression, energy cost, alternative technology, running cost, energy efficiency, air conditioning, low temperature |
| Subjects: | financial and cost management, economic analysis, environmental health, cost management, Geography, thermal systems, environmental engineering, data collection methods, material properties and characteristics, operations management, mechanical systems, air quality, factor and component analysis, systems engineering, geographical data, energy systems, sustainability and energy |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Design Practice, Sustainability, Construction Materials, Project Management, Research Practice, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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