Applied Thermal Engineering 58 (2013) 656e663

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Applied Thermal Engineering

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/apthermeng

New solid desiccant solar air conditioning unit in Tunisia: Design

and simulation study
Zied Guidara a, Mounir Elleuch a, Habib Ben Bacha a, b, *
a
Laboratoire des Systems Electo-Mécaniques (LASEM), National Engineering School of Sfax University of Sfax, B.P W 3038 Sfax, Tunisia
b
College of Engineering at Alkharj, Mechanical Engineering Department, Salman bin Abdelaziz University, B.P. 655, 11942 Alkharj, Saudi Arabia

h i g h l i g h t s

A new design of solid desiccant solar air conditioning unit is presented.

Three modes of the functioning for this unit are developed.

The modelling study is based on thermal and mass balances.

A simulation study of the functioning of the unit is presented.

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Solar air conditioning units present a promising solution for air conditioning, especially desiccant units,
Received 15 August 2012 in terms of environmental protection and energy saving. In this context, the aim of this paper is a
Accepted 5 May 2013 presentation of a new solid desiccant solar air conditioning unit for office spaces in Tunisia and a
Available online 13 May 2013
simulation study of its functioning. Thus, mathematical models for each component are developed which
are based mainly on thermal and mass balances. Three mode of functioning are simulated for three
Keywords:
climate cases: relatively cold and humid for Bizerte, hot and dry for Remada and finally moderate for
Air conditioning
Djerba. The results show that the conditioned air obtained in each mode of functioning can ensure
Desiccant cooling
Solar energy
comfortable conditions for the office space occupants.
Design Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Modelling
Simulation

1. Introduction
Conditioned air becomes a vital necessity at office spaces.
However conventional units of air conditioning have some envi-
ronmental problems. In addition, conventional units consume a
large quantity of electricity [1,2] which is an expensive energy
obtained often by means of oil resources [3]. So more and more CO2
emissions. Furthermore, with conventional units of air condition-
ing, the dehumidification of the air is done through a cooling
operation under dew point temperature [4]. Thus, the air is very
cold to be pulsed in the conditioned space. This operation can be
characterized as an energy consuming procedure [5] and in some
cases it cannot ensure the achievement of temperature and hu-
midity levels required by the user [6].
* Corresponding author. College of Engineering at Alkharj, Mechanical Engi-
neering Department, Salman bin Abdelaziz University, B.P. 655, 11942 Alkharj, Saudi
Arabia. Tel.: þ966 506678408; fax: þ966 (0)15453964.
E-mail address: habibbenbacha@yahoo.fr (H. Ben Bacha).
So due to the lack of oil resources in the planet and the pollution
of the environment, many countries are encouraging the use of
renewable energies [3] for air conditioning.
In Tunisia, the sector of energy confronts many problems owed
essentially to the exhaustion of the reserves of hydrocarbons, and
also to the steady increase of the rhythm of the consumption.
Consequently the replacement of the conventional electric air
conditioning by another alternative becomes a necessity. So
limiting the need of the electrical energy for the air conditioning
and satisfying needs in air conditioning are the main objectives to
be achieved in our country. These objectives should be realized
without breaking the international commitments relative to the
environmental protection. Indeed, these commitments mainly
intend to reduce CO2 emissions, avoid the use of harmful gases to
the ozone layer and to the greenhouse effect used in the conven-
tional air conditioners.
Given the drawbacks mentioned above, many researches many
investigations have been performed to solve these problems
especially on the design of solar air conditioning unit.

1359-4311/$ e see front matter Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2013.05.005
 Z. Guidara et al. / Applied Thermal Engineering 58 (2013) 656e663 657

Nomenclature U0 global exchange coefficient between absorber/external

environment (W/(m2 C))
A cross section of the air flow for one channel of the V velocity of the air flow (m/s)
hygroscopic wheel (m2) v water velocity (m/s)
A1,2 areas of the coils in the storage tank (m2) W water content in the desiccant (kgwater/kgdesiccant)
Alat lateral area of one channel of the hygroscopic wheel x axial direction (m)
(m2) Y specific humidity (kgwater/kgdry air)
Ad desiccant cross section for one channel of the
hygroscopic wheel (m2) Greek letter
Cp specific heat (J/(kg K)) b optical coefficient
Cc specific heat of the absorber J/(kg C)) a absorption coefficient of the absorber
Cf specific heat of water (J/(kg C)) s transmission coefficient of the glass
f specific function ( C) h watereair heat exchanger efficiency
H enthalpy (kJ/kgdry air) ε efficiency
h convective heat transfer coefficient between absorber/ r density (kg/m3)
water (W/(m2 C)) u specific humidity of the air (kgwater/kgdry air)
hwh heat transfer coefficient between desiccant/air (W/ up specific humidity of the air at the desiccant coating
m2 K) (kgwater/kgdry air)
hm mass transfer coefficient between desiccant/air (kg/ 4p relative humidity of the air at the desiccant coating
m2 s)
I solar radiation (W/m2) Subscripts
Lwh length of the hygroscopic wheel (m) a air
Lab length of the absorber (m) acc accumulation
L mass flow of distributed water per unit of area (kg/ atm atmospheric
m2 s) c cold
M mass of the water in the storage tank (kg) catu cold air to use
Mc mass of the absorber (kg) cv convection
Mf mass of the water (kg) d desiccant
mf mass flow of the water produced by solar collector (kg/ Ech aireair heat exchanger
s) h hot
m_ mass flow (kg/s) hatc hot air to cool
p pressure (Pa) Hum humidifier
Qad adsorption heat (J/kg) in inlet
S area of the flat plate solar collector (m2) out outlet
T temperature ( C, K) p desiccant coating
Ta ambient air temperature ( C) t treated
Tc absorber temperature ( C) tc to cool
Tf water temperature ( C) tca treated cold air
Ts temperature of the water in the storage tank (K) tu to use
Tf2/1 inlet/outlet water temperature, feeding side (K) u used
Tl1,2 inlet/outlet water temperature, distribution side (K) uha used hot air
t time (s) w water
U1;2 overall heat transfer coefficient of the coil in the w wet
storage tank (W/m2 K) ws saturation

In this context, solid desiccant units present a promising solu-
tion for air conditioning, in terms of environmental protection and
energy saves. Indeed, desiccant units do not use harmful re-
frigerants to the environment. In addition, desiccant dehumidifi-
cation is advantageous in handling latent heat, easy to be
regenerated using low-grade energy, such as solar energy [7].
The standard desiccant unit which is mostly applied today uses
standard components which have been used in air conditioning
applications for buildings or factories since many years. These
components are (i) a desiccant wheel to dehumidify the air, (ii) a
heat exchanger to cool the supply air and to heat the return air, (iii)
a humidifier to treat the supply air, (iv) a humidifier to cool the
return air using evaporative cooling close to the saturation line and
(v) a solar thermal collector system to produce hot air for the
regeneration of the desiccant wheel [8].
H.M. Henning et al. [8] presented the results of the desiccant
cooling cycle for climatic conditions with high ambient air hu-
midity values. In this case, there is an enthalpy exchanger wheel in
addition to the components used in standards configurations. Thus,
the air is pre-cooled and pre-dehumidified before it’s entering the
standard desiccant cycle using the return air from the conditioned
space. However, high regeneration temperature (100  C) is needed
to ensure the regeneration of the desiccant wheel.
Furthermore, H.M. Henning et al. [8] presented also a desiccant
cycle combined with two cooling coils. Thus, the air is pre-cooled
under its dew point temperature by passing through the first
cooling coil. This operation ensures the pre-dehumidification of the
pre-cooled air. Furthermore, the air is finally cooled to the desired
temperature before it’s entering the conditioned space by use of the
second cooling coil. However, if a compression machine is used for
providing cold water, the unit will be more complex and more
expensive. Not only this, but it is possible to front the risk of going
back to the disadvantages of conventional machines already
quoted. On the other hand, if an absorption or adsorption machine
is used to produce cold water, the unit will be more complex and
more expensive.
658 Z. Guidara et al. / Applied Thermal Engineering 58 (2013) 656e663
K.F. Fong et al. [9] presented a solar hybrid air conditioning
system when compared with standard desiccant system; there are
three main components which exist in addition. The first is the
adsorption machine, the second is the radiant ceiling cooling and
the third is the auxiliary heater. Thus, the cold water is produced by
the adsorption machine and the air cooling operation is ensured by
the radiant ceiling cooling. Concerning the auxiliary heating, it is a
supplement to the solar thermal gains when they are not enough to
ensure the functioning of the system.
In this research work, a new design of a solar air conditioning
unit is presented: with desiccant material to dehumidify the air,
solar collector to produce hot water for regeneration, humidifiers to
the humidification and a combination of heat exchangersehu-
midifiers to ensure the cooling of the air without the use of ma-
chines with sorption technique or conventional refrigerated
machines. Furthermore a modelling study which is based mainly on
thermal and mass balances is developed. Thus, a simulation study
of the functioning is presented under specific meteorological data
to know its behaviour with taking into account the human comfort
diagram where the temperature and the humidity of the condi-
tioned air are essential to reach this purpose.
The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2 is
dedicated to the design and the functioning of the solar air condi-
tioning unit. Section 3, presents a modelling study of the solar air
conditioning unit. In Section 4, a simulation study is presented.
Finally, Section 5 presents the main conclusion of this work.
2. Design and functioning of the solar air conditioning unit
2.1. Design of the unit
Fig. 1 presents the design of the solar air conditioning unit.
Compared with a standard unit, there are 4 components which are
added: two humidifiers Hum1 and Hum4 and two heat exchangers
Ech1 and Ech4. Indeed, Hum1 and Ech1 ensure the pre-cooling of
the ambient air, while Hum4 and Ech4 ensure the final auxiliary
cooling of the dehumidified air. Indeed a combination of heat ex-
changersehumidifiers is used to ensure the cooling of the air
Fig. 1. Design of the solar air conditioning unit.
without the use of machines with sorption technique or conven-
tional refrigerated machines. Furthermore no similar designs were
available especially in Tunisia.
2.2. Description of the functioning of the unit
Three main modes of functioning are distinguished for this unit.
For the first mode, there is no pre-cooling of the treated air but
there is a final cooling by humidification whereas for the second
mode, the treated air is initially pre-cooled and finally cooled by
humidification. Concerning the third mode, the treated air is pre-
cooled initially and the final cooling is obtained by exchange of
heat with a colder air flow without passing by the humidifier
Hum2.
2.2.1. First mode of functioning
For this case, valve Clap4 is opened. But, valves Clap1, Clap2 and
Clap3 are closed (see Fig. 1). Note that valves Clap1, Clap2, Clap3 and
Clap4 are opened-closed by means of an electric command. Fig. 2
presents the cycle of the air for this mode of functioning. Indeed,
the standard cycle of the air is used. In this case, the treated air is
not pre-cooled but it is directly dehumidified (from 2 to 3) by
passing through a hygroscopic wheel. So, points 1, 2 are similar in
temperature and humidity because there is no heat exchange in the
air/air heat exchanger Ech1.
Later on, the dehumidified air is pre-cooled (from 3 to 4) in an
air/air heat exchanger Ech2 by the air that returns from the space
conditioned humidified and cooled (from 6 to 7) close to the
saturation in the humidifier Hum2. Furthermore, the air is pre-
cooled (from 4 to 5) to the temperature and the humidity desired
in the humidifier Hum3 corresponding to the state of human
comfort.
Concerning the regeneration, the air that returns from the
conditioned space is heated (from 8 to 9) by passing through a
water/air heat exchanger Ech3 where the hot water is produced by
the solar energy from a solar collector and a storage tank. Then, this
hot air passes through the hygroscopic wheel to ensure its regen-
eration (from 9 to 10).
 Z. Guidara et al. / Applied Thermal Engineering 58 (2013) 656e663
Fig. 2. Cycle of the air for the first mode of functioning: without pre-cooling of the
ambient air.
2.2.2. Second mode of functioning
For this case, valves Clap1 and Clap4 are opened. But, valves
Clap2 and Clap3 are closed (see Fig. 1). Fig. 3 presents the cycle of
the air for this mode of functioning. The principle of functioning can
be described as follows:
The ambient air is cooled close to the saturation line in a hu-
midifier Hum1 (from 1 to12). Then, this cold air (from 12 to 13)
ensures in an air/air heat exchanger Ech1 a pre-cooling of the
ambient air to treat (from 1 to 2). Therefore, the first pre-cooling of
the ambient air is finished. In fact, this stage is very important
because it reduces the gradient of temperature which results from
the dehumidification of the air which is an exothermic phenome-
non. Then, the pre-cooled air is dehumidified and heated (from 2 to
3) by passing through a hygroscopic wheel. Then, the principle of
functioning described previously for the first mode of functioning
remains valid for this mode of functioning (from 3 to 10).
2.2.3. Third mode of functioning
For this case, the cycle of the air is presented in Fig. 4. Valves
Clap1, Clap2 and Clap3 are opened. But, valve Clap4 is closed (see
Fig. 1). When compared with the second mode of functioning
described previously, there is only one difference. This difference
concerns the method followed for the final cooling of the treated
air. In fact, after the exit of the heat exchanger Ech2 (point 4), the air
is cooled through the heat exchanger Ech4. In fact, the ambient air
Fig. 3. Cycle of the air for the second mode of functioning: with pre-cooling of the
ambient air.
659
Fig. 4. Cycle of the air for the third mode of functioning: with final cooling of the
conditioned air by sensible heat exchange.
is cooled close to the saturation line in a humidifier Hum4 (from 1
to11). Then, this cold air (from 11 to 18) ensures in an air/air heat
exchanger Ech4 the final cooling of the air (from 4 to 50 ). Thus, the
conditioned air is obtained at the exit of the heat exchanger Ech4
(point 50 ). Indeed, the principle of functioning described previously
from 1 to 4 and from 6 to 10 remains also valid for this case.
Note that each mode of functioning is selected through the value
of the enthalpy of the air which has as equation [10,11]:
H ¼ 1:006 T þ Y ð2501 þ 1:805 TÞ (1)
Also for the developed design, there is no auxiliary heating
because the solar thermal gains are enough to ensure the func-
tioning of the unit for Tunisian office spaces during the work time.
3. Modelling of the solar air conditioning unit
Six main components are used in the studied solar air condi-
tioning unit: the flat plate solar collector, the storage tank, the
watereair heat exchanger, the aireair heat exchanger, the hygro-
scopic wheel and the humidifier.
3.1. Modelling of the flat plate solar collector
The mathematical model is mainly based on thermal balances
for the absorber and the water. This model is developed by H. Ben
Bacha [12]. The absorber of the studied flat plate solar collector is
presented in Fig. 5.
To develop the mathematical model, these assumptions are
followed:
Fig. 5. Absorber of the studied flat plate solar collector.
660 Z. Guidara et al. / Applied Thermal Engineering 58 (2013) 656e663

- the velocity of the water is uniform,

- the water flow is uni-directional,

The thermal balance for the absorber can be written as follows:

vTc

¼ a1 ðf  Tc Þ þ b1 Tf  Tc (2)
vt
The thermal balance for the water can be written as follows:

vTf
 vT
¼ c1 Tc  Tf  v f (3)
vt vx

where:

SU 0
a1 ¼ (4)
Mc Cc

Sh
b1 ¼ (5)
Mc Cc Fig. 6. The studied storage tank.

Sh
c1 ¼ (6)
Mf Cf
DTl2 ¼ Tl2  Ts (15)

Lab mf
v ¼ (7) DTl1 ¼ Tl1  Ts (16)
Mf
thus,
bI !
f ¼ þ Ta (8)
U’ U1 A1

  mf Cf
Tf1 ¼ Tf2  Ts e þ Ts (17)
b ¼ as (9)

1
3.2. Modelling of the storage tank Tl2 ¼ ðTl1  Ts Þ ! þ Ts (18)
U2 A2

The developed mathematical model is based on thermal bal- LCf
e
ances. To develop the mathematical model, these assumptions are
followed:
3.3. Modelling of the watereair heat exchanger
- there is no exchanged flow between the storage tank and the
ambient environment, To develop the mathematical model, these assumptions are
- the steady regime is established for the two internal heat followed:
exchangers.
- there is no exchanged flow between the heat exchanger and
This model is developed by H. Ben Bacha et al. [13]. The studied the ambient environment,
storage tank is presented in Fig. 6. - the steady regime is established for the heat exchanger.
The thermal balance can be written as follows:

vTs
 The developed mathematical model is based on heat exchanger

MCf ¼ mf Cf Tf2  Tf1  LCf ðTl2  Tl1 Þ (10) efficiency which can be written as follows [14]:
vt
_ w Cpw ðThw  Tcw Þ
m _ a Cpa ðTha  Tca Þ
m
where, h¼   ¼   (19)
_ p min ðThw  Tca Þ
mC _ p min ðThw  Tca Þ
mC



 DTf 2  DTf1
mf Cf Tf2  Tf 1 ¼ U1 A1 ! (11)
DTf2 3.4. Modelling of the aireair heat exchanger
Ln
DTf1
Fig. 7 presents the studied aireair heat exchanger. To develop
the mathematical model, these assumptions are followed:
ðDTl2  DTl1 Þ
LCf ðTl2  Tl1 Þ ¼ U2 A2   (12)
DTl2 - there is no exchanged flow between the heat exchanger and
Ln
DTl1 the ambient environment,
- the steady regime is established for the heat exchanger.
DTf 2 ¼ Tf2  Ts (13)
The developed mathematical model is based on heat exchanger
DTf 1 ¼ Tf1  Ts (14) efficiency which can be written as follows [15]:
 Z. Guidara et al. / Applied Thermal Engineering 58 (2013) 656e663 661

so,

Tout ¼ Tin þ εHum ðTwin  Tin Þ (25)

Indeed, the humidification operation is done with a constant
enthalpy (Hout ¼ Hin). So,

Hout ¼ 1:006 Tout þ Yout ð2501 þ 1:805 Tout Þ ¼ Hin (26)

and,

Hout  1:006Tout
Yout ¼ (27)
2501 þ 1:805Tout
Fig. 7. Studied aireair heat exchanger.

3.6. Modelling of the hygroscopic wheel

_ ta Cpa ðThatc  Ttca Þ
m m_ ua Cpa ðTuha  Tcatu Þ
εEch ¼   ¼  
_ pa min ðThatc  Tcatu Þ
mC _ pa min ðThatc  Tcatu Þ
mC The modelling of the hygroscopic wheel is based on mass and
(20) thermal balances for the air flow and the desiccant. The hygroscopic
wheel is divided in two parts, the first one is for the dehumidifi-
Indeed, the heat exchange operation is done with a constant cation and the second is for the regeneration. The desiccant is the
specific humidity. silica gel. Fig. 9 shows a portion of one channel of the studied hy-
So, groscopic wheel.
To develop the mathematical model, these assumptions are
Yhatc ¼ Ytca (21) followed:

Ycatu ¼ Yuha
3.5. Modelling of the humidifier
Fig. 8 presents the studied humidifier. To develop the mathe-
matical model, this assumption is followed:
- the steady regime is established for the heat exchanger.
The enthalpy Hin is calculated as follows [10,11]:
(22) - hysteresis in the sorption isotherm for desiccant coating is
neglected and the heat of sorption (adsorption/desorption) is
assumed constant,
- the channels are adiabatic, impermeable, with the same ma-
terial and identical,
- the air flow is uni-directional,
- the thermodynamic properties of dry air, vapour and desiccant
are uniforms and constants,
- the heat and mass coefficients between the air stream and the
desiccant wall are constant along the channel, * For the air flow

The thermal balance can be written as follows:

Hin ¼ 1:006 Tin þ Yin ð2501 þ 1:805 Tin Þ (23)
vT vT  
The efficiency of the humidifier has as expression [16]: Ara Cpa VLwh þ Ara Cpa Lwh ¼ hwh Alat Tp  T (28)
vx vt
εHum ¼ ðTout  Tin Þ=ðTwin  Tin Þ (24) The mass balance can be written as follows:

vu vu  
Ar0 VLwh þ Ara Lwh ¼ hm Alat up  u (29)
vx vt

* For the desiccant.

The thermal balance can be written as follows:

vW   vTp
Ad Qads rd Lwh ¼ hwh Alat Tp  T þ Ad rd Cpd Lwh (30)
vt vt
The mass balance can be written as follows:

vW  
Ad rd Lwh ¼ hm Alat u  up (31)
vt

Fig. 8. Studied humidifier. Fig. 9. A portion of one channel of the hygroscopic wheel.
662 Z. Guidara et al. / Applied Thermal Engineering 58 (2013) 656e663

where the humidity ratio is calculated as follows:

0:621884p
up ¼ p (32)
atm
 4p
pws
Saturation pressure is calculated as follows by using Antoine
equation:
 
3816:44
pws ¼ exp 23:196  (33)
Tp  46:13
Relative humidity on the surface of RD silica gel is calculated as
follows [17,18]:

4p ¼ 0:0078  0:05759W þ 24:16554W2  124:78W 3

þ 204:226W 4 (34)

4. Simulation of the functioning of the solar air conditioning

unit Fig. 10. First cycle of the air for Bizerte.

In this part, a simulation study of the functioning of the unit is

developed under the meteorological data [19] for three Tunisian passing through the heat exchanger Ech 3 (from 8 to 9). Finally, the
towns: Remada, Bizerte and Djerba. heated air ensures the regeneration of the hygroscopic wheel (from
Numerical values used for the simulation are listed in Table 1. 9 to 10).

4.1. First mode of functioning 4.2. Second mode of functioning

Fig. 10 presents the cycle of conditioned air and regenerated air
under the climate of Bizerte. Precisely at July 29 2012 where the
minimum temperature is equal to 23  C and the relative humidity is
equal to 51%.
Thus, the ambient air (1 ¼ 2) is dehumidified and heated (from 2
to 3) by passing through the hygroscopic wheel. Then, the dehu-
midified air is cooled from (3e4) by passing through the heat
exchanger Ech2. As a last stage, the air is humidified and cooled
(from 4 to 5) to the desired temperature and humidity by passing
through the humidifier Hum 2.
The air that returns from the conditioned space fixed on 26  C as
temperature and 60% as relative humidity is cooled by humidifi-
cation. These values correspond to the limit values of summer
human comfort [22]. This humidification is done close to the
saturation line (from 6 to 7) by passing through the humidifier Hum
3. After that, the air is heated (from 7 to 8) by passing through the
heat exchanger Ech 2. Then the heated air is more heated by
Fig. 11 presents the cycle of conditioned air and regenerated air
under the climate of Remada.
Precisely at July 29 2012 where the maximum temperature is
equal to 45  C and the relative humidity is equal to 14%.
The ambient air to treat (1) is pre-cooled to point (2) by passing
through the heat exchanger Ech1. Note that the cold air flow
responsible of this pre-cooling is obtained through the humidifi-
cation of the ambient air close to the saturation line (from point 1 to
point 12). Then, the pre-cooled air is dehumidified and heated
(from 2 to 3) by passing through the hygroscopic wheel. Later on,
the dehumidified air is cooled from (3e4) by passing through the
heat exchanger Ech 2. As a last stage, the air is humidified and
cooled (from 4 to 5) to the desired temperature and humidity by
passing through the humidifier Hum2.
The air that returns from the conditioned space is cooled by
humidification. This humidification is done close to the saturation

Table 1
Numerical values used for the simulation.

Parameter Value Unit

Solar radiation 870 W/m2

Conditioned area volume 56 m3
Number of air changes per hour [20] 8 Changes/h
Volume flow of the conditioned air 448 m3/h
Volume flow of the regenerated air 149.3 m3/h
Mass flow of the conditioned air 0.1269 kg/s
Mass flow of the regenerated air 0.0423 kg/s
Mass flow of the humidified air in 0.1269 kg/s
humidifiers Hum1 and Hum4
Mass flow of the hot water produced 0.04 kg/s
by the flat plate solar collector
Mass flow of the hot water entering the 0.019 kg/s
heat exchanger Ech 3
Humidifier Hum2 efficiency 0.5
Humidifiers Hum1, Hum3, Hum4 efficiency 0.9
Watereair heat exchanger efficiency [21] 0.92
Aireair heat exchanger efficiency 0.9
Fig. 11. Second cycle of the air for Remada.
 Z. Guidara et al. / Applied Thermal Engineering 58 (2013) 656e663
Fig. 12. Third cycle of the air for Djerba.
line (from 6 to 7) by passing through the humidifier Hum 3. After
that, the air is heated (from 7 to 8) by passing through the heat
exchanger Ech2. Then the heated air is more heated by passing
through the heat exchanger Ech3 (from 8 to 9). Finally, the heated
air ensures the regeneration of the hygroscopic wheel (from 9
to 10).
4.3. Third mode of functioning
Fig. 12 presents the cycle of conditioned air and regenerated air
under the climate of Djerba.
Precisely at August 01 2012 where the maximum temperature is
equal to 33  C and the relative humidity is equal to 44%.
The ambient air to treat (1) is pre-cooled to point (2) by passing
through the heat exchanger Ech1. Then, the pre-cooled air is
dehumidified and heated (from 2 to 3) by passing through the
hygroscopic wheel. As a last stage, the air is cooled without be
humidified (from 4 to 50 ) to the desired temperature and humidity
by passing through the heat exchanger Ech4.
Note that the cold air flow responsible of this cooling is obtained
through the humidification of the ambient air close to the satura-
tion line (from point 1 to point 11).
For the cycle of the regenerated air (from point 6 to point 10),
the principle described previously for the first and the second mode
of functioning remains also valid for the third mode of functioning.
4.4. State of human comfort
Table 2 presents numerical values of the conditioned air for each
mode of functioning previously simulated. The first point corre-
sponds to the conditioned air for Bizerte where the temperature of
the conditioned air is equal to 20.3  C and the specific humidity is
equal to 7.4 gwater/kgdry air. This implies 50% as a relative humidity.
The second point corresponds to the conditioned air for Djerba
where the temperature of the conditioned air is equal to 24.7  C and
the specific humidity is equal to 9.4 gwater/kgdry air. This implies
Table 2
Numerical values of the obtained conditioned air through the simulation study.
Climate Parameter Value
Bizerte Temperature 20.3
Specific humidity 7.4
Djerba Temperature 24.7
Specific humidity 9.4
Remada Temperature 22
Specific humidity 7.3
663
48.4% as a relative humidity. The third point corresponds to the
conditioned air for Remada where the temperature of the condi-
tioned air is equal to 22  C and the specific humidity is equal to
7.3 gwater/kgdry air. This implies 44.4% as a relative humidity. The
results show that the values of temperature and humidity of the
conditioned air obtained in each mode of functioning correspond to
the state of human comfort [23].
5. Conclusion
A design of a solar air conditioning unit is developed where the
cooling operation is ensured mainly by the use of a humidifier and a
heat exchanger. Furthermore a modelling study is detailed for each
component of the solar air conditioning unit.
As seen through the simulation study, three mode of functioning
are simulated for three climate cases: relatively cold and humid for
Bizerte, hot and dry for Remada and finally moderate for Djerba.
The results show that the solar air conditioning unit can cover
successfully the corresponding demands and the conditioned air
obtained in each mode of functioning can ensure comfortable
conditions for the office space occupants.
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