Sorption vs. Separation – Prototype Comparison of Two Approaches to Façade-Integrated Dehumidification

Peteris Lazovskis, Jack Alvarenga, Eric Teitelbaum, Coleman Merchant, Sean Rucewicz, Pamela Cabrera, Jaya Manideep Rebbagondla, Leslie Norford, Joanna Aizenberg, Jonathan Grinham, Forrest Meggers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We present an alternative concept to vapor-compression air conditioning, by using sorption-based and separation-based methods to manipulate air humidity and velocity, in order to achieve higher efficiency comfort conditions and healthier air for hot and humid climates. Dry air moving over skin in such climates has been shown to increase the number of thermal comfort hours that do not require cooling, reducing building energy consumption. We have constructed prototypes for each method and have designed them for attachment to the exteriors of buildings that will, in the future, likely have to consider retrofit due to rising heat levels. Our lab and field tests yielded promising results, and our theoretical models show dehumidification coefficients of performance higher than equivalently sized vapor compression systems. The sorption-based system dehumidified better at fan driven air speed, while the separation-based system performed better at lower air speed. Both prototypes are novel in their mass-exchanger design, their small form-factor, and their component-based assembly. This progress shows that with further research, non-vapor-compression systems, and hybrid vapor-compression/desiccant systems are well-positioned to substantively reduce energy consumption for thermal comfort.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMultiphysics and Multiscale Building Physics - Proceedings of the 9th International Building Physics Conference IBPC 2024, Building Systems and HVAC Technologies
EditorsUmberto Berardi
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages130-139
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9789819783120
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025
Event9th International Building Physics Conference, IBPC 2024 - Toronto, Canada
Duration: Jul 25 2024Jul 27 2024

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume554 LNCE
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

Conference9th International Building Physics Conference, IBPC 2024
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityToronto
Period7/25/247/27/24

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering

Keywords

  • Liquid desiccant dehumidification
  • vacuum membrane dehumidification
  • ventilation

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