Enhancing automotive heat pump efficiency via directly coated desiccant evaporator and condenser
This study aims to enhance automotive air-conditioning performance using a desiccant-based system that overcomes the weight and complexity of traditional desiccant-coated heat exchangers (DCHEs). A compact desiccant-coated heat pump (DCHP) is proposed, where desiccant materials are directly applied to the evaporator and condenser surfaces, eliminating the need for separate desiccant components. Numerical simulations were performed to assess system performance using silica gel and four MOF desiccants—CPO- 27(Ni), aluminum fumarate, MIL-100(Fe), and MIL-101(Cr). Among these, MIL-101(Cr) exhibited the best performance, achieving a COP slightly above 8.0 and an 80% improvement over a conventional system, with a moisture removal capacity (MRC) exceeding 8 g/kg, about 30% higher than that of silica gel. The DCHP also maintained supply air within ASHRAE comfort limits without reheating.