Water sorption from air by celite-supported CaCl2: Mathematical model/experimental studies

A feasible means for the long‐term storage of thermal energy considers the hydration of CaCl2. Differential and integral beds of Celite pellets impregnated with CaCl2 were employed to dehydrate humid air. Experimental studies were used in modeling the behavior of this system, which involved the solution of four partial differential equations. The simultaneous solution of these equations, using a modified Gear's method, yielded information about the temperature and composition distribution of both the air stream and the impregnated pellets. The mathematical solution predicts the time‐dependent moving front characterized by a maximum temperature. Predicted and experimental measurements were found to be in good agreement.