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PE 013Refrigerant based dehumidification
© 2013 Farm Energy Centre
They’re just a decent size refrigeration unit
How do they work?
Warm, wet air
20oC85% RH15g/m3 of water
Cold air
16oC100% RH14g/m3 of water
Warm dry air
30oC45% RH14g/m3 of water
Evaporator Condenser
Water
Compressor
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The energy balance
Warm, wet air
Cold, wet air
Warm dry air
Evaporator Condenser
Water
Compressor
1kWh3kWh
4kWh
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Simple energy costs
• But there’s more….
Cost of electricity
Cost of heat (CoP of 4.0)
Equivalent cost of gas (85% efficient boiler)
9 p/kWh 2.3 p/kWh 1.9p/kWh (56p/Therm)
6p/kWh 1.5p/kWh 1.3p/kWh (37p/Therm)
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A bit more physics
• What happens when the vents are open?– Lose the energy in the water vapour
(latent heat)– Lose the energy in 20oC air that is
replaced with say 10oC air (specific heat)– This adds 1 to the CoP
• New CoP is 5.0
Cost of electricity
Cost of heat (CoP of 5.0)
Equivalent cost of gas (85% efficient boiler)
9 p/kWh 1.8 p/kWh 1.5p/kWh (45p/Therm)
6p/kWh 1.2p/kWh 1.0p/kWh (30p/Therm)
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The project at Red Roofs Nursery
• 4 dehumidifiers in 6,000m2
• Each unit– Consumes 10kW electricity– Removes 45 litres/hr of water
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Energy facts/figures
• 2013
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Energy facts/figures
• 2014
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Energy facts/figures
• Total heat use - 2013
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Energy facts/figures
• Total heat use - 2014
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Energy facts/figures
• Heat saved
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Energy facts/figures
• Electricity used
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Crop data
• 2013
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Dehumidifier
Control
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© 2013 Farm Energy Centre
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Crop data
• 2014
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Dehumidifier
Control
© 2013 Farm Energy Centre
© 2013 Farm Energy Centre
© 2013 Farm Energy Centre
© 2013 Farm Energy Centre
Financials
• Check out the spreadsheet