Heat recovery and desiccant wheel effect on energy saving of a solar cooling system

Purpose. This paper investigates the integration of a desiccant wheel into a conventional solar cooling system and the feasibility of recovering the heat rejected by the absorption chiller to regenerate the desiccant wheel, thereby improving overall system energy efficiency. Findings. The proposed system achieves solar energy savings of 18–31.5% compared to a conventional solar cooling system, depending on operating conditions. Design /Method / Approach. Mathematical models for each major component—evacuated tube solar collectors, single-stage and half-effect NH₃–H₂O absorption chillers, and a silica-gel desiccant wheel—were developed and validated against experimental data. A parametric analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of ambient temperature, relative humidity, fresh air fraction, and regeneration temperature on system performance. Theoretical Implications. The study demonstrates that the simultaneous use of absorption and adsorption thermodynamic cycles, coupled through heat recovery, provides a theoretically grounded pathway to improving the coefficient of performance of solar-driven air conditioning systems. Practical Implications. The findings offer HVAC engineers and building designers a validated configuration for reducing solar collector area and energy consumption in solar cooling installations, particularly in hot-humid climates such as subtropical Australia. Originality / Value. Unlike previous studies that treat absorption cooling and desiccant dehumidification as independent subsystems, this work is among the first to propose recovering the absorption chiller’s rejected heat specifically for desiccant regeneration, creating a synergistic coupling that eliminates a dedicated regeneration heat source. Research Limitations / Future Research. The study is based on steady-state simulation models; experimental validation of the integrated system and transient performance analysis remain as future work. Economic and life-cycle cost analyses were not included. Article Type. Applied Research.