CH-85-09-3 -- Application of a Desiccant Cooling System to Supermarkets PDF

Field analysis of a desiccant-assisted HVAC system shows that reduced circulated airflow rates of .5 cfm/ft² of sales area are possible without compromise to uniform sales area temperatures. An air-distribution strategy of supplying two-thirds of the air to the front of the store and returning air under the refrigerated fixtures was employed. Reduced airflow rates have not shown any ill effect on odor control either.

Reducing store relative humidity to 40% has shown a reduction in both refrigerated fixture load and frost formation on fixture coils and products. The total package system uses heat reclaim from the refrigerating condensing units for winter heating of the store. The desiccant-regeneration air is preheated by reclaiming a portion of the heat of rejection from air-conditioning condensing units.