Humidity Control in Confined Building Spaces Using Liquid Desiccant Dehumidifier-Conceptual Investigation

Moisture and moisture-related problems often originate from the confined spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens, where large amounts of moisture are released within a short time period. These problems are identified by signs including condensation on windows and walls as well as mold and fungi growth in corners of interior surfaces of walls and ceiling. To prevent condensation and formations of mold and fungi in the confined spaces, a special desiccant dehumidification system may be used. This system uses ambient space air to regenerate when the spaces produce no moisture. To investigate the feasibility of the desiccant dehumidification system for confined space humidity control, a conceptual system and physical models were developed. Numerical simulations were conducted to calculate simultaneous heat and mass transfer involved among moisture source, space air and liquid desiccant. This paper presents the methods and simulated results. The results show that use of the desiccant dehumidification system can substantially reduce the room humidity level.