It is in this regime where part load performance degrades rapidly. Desiccant Dehumidification Systems Desiccant dehumidification systems use solid or liquid desiccant materials to remove moisture from the air. This article will only discuss solid desiccant systems. Solid desiccant systems employ a rotating wheel in which desiccant is impregnated on a honeycomb surface. The desiccant wheel is divided into two sections.
Unconditioned air enters the first section where it is dried.
When the desiccant material has become saturated, it rotates into a second area where a heated airstream is blown through the wheel to remove the moisture or regenerate desiccant. Desiccant dehumidification systems typically operate in conjunction with a natural gas or electric chiller. In the recirculation mode, return air from the building passes through the desiccant system to remove moisture accumulated in the building and then, if required, is sensibly cooled with a chiller before being returned to the supply air handling equipment. Desiccant systems operating in the ventilation mode process ambient air to be delivered to the conditioned space. The exhaust air from the building typically is used in the regeneration air stream.