Analysis of performance parameters of a dynamic humidifier using experimental and optimization techniques

• Optimum water flow rate and motor rotation speed was found to be 0.6 LPM and 150 rpm. • Low RH and high air velocity gave evaporation rate and COP equal to 1.75 g/s and 7.57. • Highest CE and HE evaluated for this unit is equal to 2986 W and 89.94 %. • ANN − GA model predicted test data with a low 4.9227% mean error. • COP of 15.1 can be achieved through selection of optimum inputs predicted through ANN. The study focuses on design and construction of centrifugal humidifier aimed at enhancing moisture content in a defined space. Four inlet parameters—air velocity, shaft rotational speed, flow rate of water and relative humidity at the inlet—were varied within the ranges of 5–9 m/s, 50–200 rpm, 0.2–0.8 LPM, and 25–70 %, respectively. The maximum humidification performance parameters, including effect of cooling, rate of evaporation, humidification or saturation efficiency and Coefficient Of Performance (COP), were found to be 2986.06 W, 1.75 g/s, 89.94 %, and 6.72, respectively. Experimental results revealed that optimal performance was achieved at a flow rate of water of 0.6 LPM and motor shaft rotational speed of 150 rpm. Additionally, it was observed that COP dropped significantly with an rise in motor speed. The optimization of input and output parameters was carried out using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) integrated with Genetic Algorithm (GA), and this numerical technique was observed to achieve an overall high correlation coefficient of 99.49 % and a low training mean square error of 0.000527. This value is found to be within the range of acceptance. This present model was able to accurately predict or optimize the independent variables such as inlet air velocity, motor shaft speed, relative humidity, mass flow rate, and dependent variables such as effect of cooling, rate of evaporation, COP and humidification efficiency.