Prediction of Heat and Mass Regenerator Performance Using Nonlinear Analogy Method: Part 2—Comparison of Methods

The prediction of heat and mass regenerator performance by analogy from that of a similar regenerator transferring heat alone is studied in view of the dependence of matrix sorption properties on state. Air-conditioning regenerators with convective transfer controlling are considered. For an energy recovery regenerator, the previous linear analogy method is shown to be satisfactory, while a nonlinear method is required for a regenerative dehumidifier. A nonlinear method using approximate nonlinear expressions for the combined potentials is described and is compared with the previous nonlinear method that is shown to be partly linear. The sources of error in the methods are explored for a silica gel dehumidifier, and ways of improvement are indicated.