Comparative analysis of the static and dynamic dehumidification performance of metal-organic framework materials

• Published in: HVAC&R research Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 323 - 338
• Main Authors: Panigrahi, Bivas, Wang, Hung-Wei, Luo, Win-Jet, Chou, Yiang-Chen, Chen, Jiun-Jen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 16-03-2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adsorption; Air conditioning; Air temperature; Dehumidification; Desiccants; Energy recovery; Fins; Heat; Heat exchangers; Metal-organic frameworks; Moisture effects; Regeneration; Vapors
• ISSN: 2374-4731; 2374-474X
• DOI: 10.1080/23744731.2023.2170682

Desiccant-coated heat exchangers (DCHEs) allow the simultaneous removal of adsorption heat and moisture from the incoming process air and support the cause of sustainability through energy recovery and energy efficiency. This study investigated the performance of a solid desiccant material namely, metal-organic framework (MOF-A520), by means of static and dynamic experimental processes. The static experiment revealed that under the same environmental conditions, the adsorption capacity of MOF-A520 is at least 12% better than the adsorption capacity of the traditional Sorbead R desiccant. Additional dynamic experiments were conducted by coating MOF-A520 on an industrial type heat exchanger within a controlled air-tunnel environment. Under the process air temperature of 30 °C, 80% RH and regeneration temperature of 80 °C, the maximum total vapor adsorption amounts (G
vap
), vapor adsorption amounts per unit contact area of fins (G
A
), and vapor adsorption per unit mass of MOF-A520 (G
D
) attain maximum values of 239.96 g, 0.052469 g/cm
2
and 0.67596 g/g, respectively. Overall, with a lower regeneration temperature of 60 °C and shorter desorption time of 20 minutes, MOF-A520 demonstrates its potential as a suitable desiccant material for air conditioning applications.