LV-17-010 -- Diurnal and Seasonal Experimental Performance of a Solar Collector-cum-Regenerator

A solar collector-cum-regenerator (C/R) concentratesliquid desiccant flowing over its absorber surface by evaporatingwater using solar thermal energy. It is a key componentof a solar liquid desiccant air-cooling system. Simultaneouscollection of solar energy and evaporation of water occurs asthe solution flows over the absorber surface of the solar C/R.The mass flow rate of the solution over the absorber surfaceis not constant due to the evaporation of water. This paperdiscusses the use of a single solution tank for regeneration ofliquid desiccants (calcium chloride [CaCl2] and lithium chloride[LiCl] solutions) using a solar C/R. It also presents diurnaland seasonal regeneration performance of a solar C/R ofabsorber area of 4.0 m² (43.0 ft²) using experimentallycollected data sets for hot and dry, hot and humid, and moderatelyhot and humid weather conditions of Delhi from 9:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. The results obtained will be helpful in the designof a solar C/R for coupling with a liquid desiccant coolingsystem.