SBIR Phase I: High-Efficiency Liquid Desiccant Regenerator for Desiccant Enhanced Evaporative Air Conditioning

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project develops air conditioning technology, unveiling a high-efficiency, liquid desiccant regenerator that promises to unlock the full potential of liquid desiccant air conditioning (LDAC). The solution promises substantial energy savings for families and industries alike. For families, the technology translates into reduced energy costs, offering tangible financial relief and enhancing their quality of life. On an industrial scale, it stands to reshape the power requirements of various sectors, paving the way for more sustainable and cost-effective operations. The project is focused on overcoming the efficiency barriers that have historically impeded LDAC's widespread adoption relative to today’s vapor-compression air conditioners. A suitable membrane technology is adopted for the regeneration of the liquid desiccant as it promises to substantially improve the coefficient of performance for the LDAC. The plan is to develop design specifications for an LDAC that combines the size and cost characteristics of today’s conventional air conditioning systems with the anticipated leap in energy efficiency. The key challenge is in designing a system where membrane behavior at extremely high salt concentrations is robust and predictable. The experimental development is focused on the assessment of performance of various membranes under various flow rates and salt concentrations. The resulting experimental data are modeled with established mathematical models from literature. Computer simulations of the liquid desiccant regeneration process are developed using the experimental membrane models to demonstrate the regenerator's feasibility and predict its efficacy and value. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.