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Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...

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40°C respectively. This gives flexibility in optimization <strong>of</strong> the system operation<br />

conditions depending on the site specific conditions with respect to the prevailing<br />

climatic conditions <strong>and</strong> seasonal variations <strong>of</strong> local cooling feed water source.<br />

Figure 7.12: Effect <strong>of</strong> inlet cooling water temperature on the condensation rate<br />

7.3.2 Effect <strong>of</strong> inlet saturated air temperature<br />

Assuming saturation conditions (valid assumption for closed air loop cycles),<br />

increasing inlet air temperature will, <strong>of</strong> course, result in a higher water vapor content<br />

per kg <strong>of</strong> dry air <strong>and</strong> will increase the temperature <strong>and</strong> vapor pressure differences<br />

between the gas phase on one side <strong>and</strong> both <strong>PCM</strong> <strong>and</strong> liquid phases on the other<br />

side (i.e. increasing heat <strong>and</strong> mass transfer potentials). Therefore, the inlet air<br />

temperature is a very important parameter for the condenser performance. Figure<br />

(7.13) depicts the effect <strong>of</strong> inlet saturated air temperature on the hourly condensation<br />

rate. It seems that the condensation rate approximately varies linearly with the inlet<br />

air temperature at very low mass flow rate <strong>of</strong> cooling water <strong>and</strong> higher range <strong>of</strong> inlet<br />

air temperatures beyond 65-70°C regardless <strong>of</strong> the mass flow rate. The higher the<br />

cooling water mass flow rate, the stronger effect <strong>of</strong> the inlet air temperature is. While<br />

the inlet hot air is the heat source, increasing its sensible <strong>and</strong> latent heat capacities,<br />

the heat sink capacity should be enhanced with the same magnitude to meet the<br />

155

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