A new type of heat pump driven household outdoor air processor using solid desiccant is proposed. Two stages of square solid desiccant plates are used for dehumidification. For each stage

two desiccant plates are placed in the processed air duct for dehumidification and in the regeneration air duct. Continuous dehumidification is realized by exchanging positions of the desiccant plates in the two air ducts. The cooling capacity and exhaust heat of the heat pump are utilized to cool the processed air and provide regenerative heat to the desiccant. Numerical models and experimental validations of the air processor are discussed. The influences of switching modes (mode 1: exchange positions simultaneously; mode 2: exchange positions alternatively)

switching time interval

processed air inlet states

and stage number on the performance (COP) of air processor are numerically investigated. The results show that

the optimal time interval of mode 2 is half of that of mode 1. The optimal time intervals under mode 1 are 8 and 4 min

respectively

for air flow rates of 300 and 500 m3·h-1. COP enhances with the increase of stage number. The cooler and drier the processed air inlet state

the higher the COP. Under the Beijing summer condition and the ARI summer condition

COPs are above 3.5 and 5.5

respectively.