New and Underutilized Technology: Liquid Desiccant Air Conditioner
The following information outlines key deployment considerations for liquid desiccant air conditioners (LDACs) within the Federal sector. This information spans:
- Benefits
- Application
- Climate and Regional Considerations
- Key Factors for Deployment
- Ranking Criteria
- Resources
Benefits
Liquid desiccant air conditioners deeply dry air using natural gas, solar energy, waste heat, bio-fuel, or other fossil fuels to drive the system. By providing mostly latent cooling, the LDAC controls indoor humidity without overcooling and reheating. This unit is supplemented by an electric chiller or DX air conditioner that sensibly cools the building's recirculation air. The liquid desiccant is a concentrated salt solution that directly absorbs moisture.
Application
LDACs are applicable in hospital, office, prison, school, and service applications.
Climate and Regional Considerations
LDACs are most attractive in humid climates
Key Factors for Deployment
The need for very dry air and the availability of waste heat to regenerate the liquid desiccant are good applications for this technology. Some corrosion issues need to be addressed.
Ranking Criteria
Federal energy savings, cost-effectiveness, and probability of success are ranked 0-5 with 0 representing the lowest ranking and 5 representing the highest ranking. The weighted score is ranked 0-100 with 0 representing the lowest ranking and 100 representing the highest ranking.
| Federal Energy Savings | Cost Effectiveness | Probability of Success | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 42 |
Resources
The following resources are available:
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Emerging Energy-Saving HVAC Technologies and Practices for the Buildings Sector (2009): American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) report covering emerging HVAC technologies for the buildings sector.
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Liquid Desiccant Air Conditioners: Emerging technology article covering LDACs for ACHR News.
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Liquid Desiccant-Based Air Conditioning Systems: Report detailing LDAC technology background, product reviews, and recent research and development activities.
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New Air Conditioning System has Potential to Slash Energy Usage by up to 90%: Science Daily article covering the potential of LDAC applications.