A novel approach for enhancing the utilization of solid desiccants in packed bed via intercooling

Desiccant material in trailing layers of packed beds is not utilized effectively due to the released heat of adsorption. In this study, an intercooled packed bed is proposed to enhance the utilization of desiccant material in the trailing layers of the bed. Experimental and numerical runs are conducted for moisture adsorption processes in conventional and intercooled silica gel beds. The numerical model predicts the exit air condition with an acceptable agreement. Using intercooled bed, 22% increase in total adsorbed mass is achieved for the studied case. The optimum bed length and intercooler location are explored. Also, the effect of air flow velocity on the intercooled bed at the optimum location is presented numerically. •An intercooled packed bed is proposed to increase the utilization of desiccant material in the trailing layers of the bed.•Experimental tests are conducted for moisture adsorption processes in conventional and intercooled silica gel beds.•Numerical model for moisture adsorption in desiccant bed is presented and validated with the experimental data.•The significance of the intercooling on the bed performance is investigated.•The effect of air flow velocity on the intercooled bed and the optimum intercooler location are investigated numerically.