KC-19-A037-- A Desiccant Wheel Application with Condenser Water Cooling and Low-Grade Geothermal Energy in Humid Climates

A desiccant wheel integrated with condenser water cooling and geothermal energy from depleted hydrocarbon wells is investigated using an empirical desiccant wheel model to simulate the dehumidification performance. This system reduced the simulated yearly energy input required to cool and dehumidify 1 cfm (1L/s) of outside air by 43.1% compared to the use of cooling coils in College Station, TX. The yearly CHW energy and cost savings in a 202,467 ft2 (18,809 m2) case study building are 2,436 MMBtu (2,572 GJ), and $37,183, with a 21.2% reduction in total CHW energy consumption.