HVAC ENERGY

EFFICIENCY USING
DOAS & DESSICANT
DEHUMIDIFIER
DESSICANT DEHUMIDIFIER
INTRODUCTION
Desiccant dehumidifiers are essential for controlling humidity in
environments where traditional refrigerant-based dehumidifiers are
less effective. They use a hygroscopic material called a desiccant to
absorb moisture from the air. This process does not rely on cooling
the air, making desiccant dehumidifiers particularly effective in low-
temperature or low-humidity conditions

•The desiccant material is typically arranged in a rotating wheel or

rotor. As moist air passes through the wheel, the desiccant absorbs
the moisture, delivering dry air into the building. The desiccant wheel
then rotates into a regeneration zone, where heat is applied to
release the absorbed moisture, restoring the desiccant’s moisture-
absorbing capacity. This continuous cycle ensures efficient humidity
control.
DESSICANT DEHUMIDIFIER
FLOW
A desiccant dehumidifier works by using a rotating wheel to
absorb moisture from the air and then releasing it back into the
environment:

1 2
AIR INTAKE DESSICANT WHEEL
Damp air is drawn into the dehumidifier. The air passes through a slowly rotating
wheel with a desiccant material, like silica
gel, on the surface. The desiccant absorbs
moisture from the air, drying it

3 4
REGENERATION REDISITRIBUTION
A small portion of the dried air is heated to The moist air is expelled back into the
regenerate the desiccant. The hot air environment, lowering the humidity level.
passes through the wheel, releasing the
trapped moisture and refreshing the
desiccant.
DESSICANT DEHUMIDIFIER
FLOW
A desiccant dehumidifier works by using a rotating wheel to
absorb moisture from the air and then releasing it back into the
environment:
 MATERIAL OF
DESSICANT DEHUMIDIFIER
There are two main types of desiccants: solid and liquid. Each has unique
properties that determine its suitability for different applications:
 DESSICANT
APPLICATION

1. OA

LAT HRW

A. Pre Cool Room Cond.

DOAS
A Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) is an HVAC (Heating,
Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) solution designed specifically to
bring in and condition outdoor air independently of the main
heating or cooling system. This approach allows for more precise
ventilation control, particularly in buildings with variable occupancy
or complex interior climates, such as offices, schools, hospitals, and
manufacturing facilities.
OUR COMPANY
HOW DOAS WORKS
A DOAS typically conditions outdoor air (OA) for ventilation
purposes, delivering it directly into occupied spaces or
alongside the main HVAC system. Here are the primary
stages involved in the operation of a DOAS:

1 2 3 4
AIR INTAKE FILTRATION DEHUMIDIFICATION POST COOLING
The DOAS takes in fresh outdoor air, which
The incoming air goes through high- • In climates with high humidity, DOAS • After dehumidification, the air is
might be hot, cold, humid, or dry, depending
efficiency filters to remove particulates, units are equipped with dehumidification brought to the desired temperature for
on the external weather conditions. Unlike
pollutants, and contaminants like dust, capabilities to control moisture levels. indoor comfort, either by cooling or
traditional HVAC systems that recirculate
pollen, and other airborne particles. Some This step is essential as outdoor air often heating. This conditioning is typically
indoor air, a DOAS is dedicated to
advanced DOAS units may include HEPA has higher humidity than is desired done via an integrated heating or
processing outdoor air exclusively.
filters or other specialized filters to improve indoors, especially in warmer climates or cooling coil in the DOAS.
indoor air quality. during summer months. • The cooling or heating load for the
• DOAS units often utilize desiccant DOAS is relatively stable since it only
dehumidifiers or refrigerant-based deals with outdoor air and does not
cooling coils to remove excess moisture. respond to indoor thermal loads, which
Some systems combine these two are managed by the main HVAC
methods, using cooling coils first to system.
remove bulk moisture and a desiccant
wheel for further drying.
OUR COMPANY
HOW DOAS WORKS
A DOAS typically conditions outdoor air (OA) for ventilation
purposes, delivering it directly into occupied spaces or
alongside the main HVAC system. Here are the primary
stages involved in the operation of a DOAS:

5 6
ENERGY RECOVERY AIR DELIVERY
• To improve energy efficiency, many
• The conditioned outdoor air is supplied
DOAS units feature an energy recovery
directly to the occupied spaces or
ventilator (ERV) or a heat recovery
distributed through the building’s
ventilator (HRV). These devices capture
existing ductwork. In some setups, it is
energy from the exhaust air leaving the
delivered through a separate duct
building and transfer it to the incoming
system specifically for ventilation
outdoor air.
purposes, reducing the mixing of fresh
• In summer, ERVs can pre-cool and
air with the air handled by the primary
dehumidify the incoming air, while in
HVAC unit.
winter, they pre-heat and humidify it,
• Since DOAS is separate from the main
reducing the energy demand on the
HVAC system, it allows the primary
DOAS unit and lowering overall energy
system to focus solely on temperature
consumption.
control, improving overall system
efficiency.
APPLICATION
Recovery Wheel

Dessicant Dehumidifier
APPLICATION
32.2 deg C 22 deg C

62% RH 50% RH
18.9 g/kg 8,2 g/kg

Heat
Recovery
Wheel 1.699 CMH

1.699 CMH 24.9 C DBT

35,0 c DBT 19.8 C WBT
28,3 c WBT 62.7% RH
21,3 Gm/Kg 12.4 g/kg
COMPANY PRODUCT ENHANCED INDOOR AIR QUALITY

PRODUCT By continuously supplying fresh, filtered outdoor air, DOAS ensures

a steady supply of high-quality air indoors, which is especially
beneficial in spaces where high ventilation rates are needed.

ADVANTAGES ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The use of energy recovery devices (ERVs/HRVs) in DOAS units

helps reduce heating and cooling energy costs by capturing and
reusing energy from exhaust air.
DOAS is ideal for commercial buildings,
schools, hospitals, laboratories, and HUMIDITY CONTROL

manufacturing facilities that require DOAS units excel in dehumidifying outdoor air, which is particularly
useful in humid climates or high-humidity seasons. By removing
controlled ventilation and stable excess moisture from outdoor air, they help maintain comfortable
indoor humidity levels without burdening the main HVAC system.
humidity levels, as well as spaces with
FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN
fluctuating occupancy that benefit
from dedicated fresh air supply. DOAS can be used in conjunction with various HVAC
configurations, including Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF), chilled
beams, radiant heating and cooling systems, and other innovative
systems that benefit from separation of ventilation and thermal
loads.
 Thermal Comfort Metrics
• Temperature Variance (°C): Monitors fluctuations in indoor
1. Energy Consumption (kWh) temperature. With DOAS, the primary HVAC system can
• Total HVAC Energy Consumption: Measures the total energy focus on maintaining thermal comfort, potentially reducing
consumed by the HVAC system in kWh, including heating, variance.
cooling, and fan operation. • Humidity Control Accuracy (%RH): Measures the ability to
• Ventilation Energy Consumption: For systems with DOAS, this maintain target indoor humidity levels (e.g., within ±5% of
includes only the energy consumed by the DOAS unit (cooling, the setpoint). DOAS units improve dehumidification control,
heating, dehumidifying outdoor air). especially in humid climates.
• Main HVAC Load Reduction (%): The percentage reduction in the
primary HVAC system’s energy load when supplemented by a
DOAS. This reflects the extent to which the DOAS alleviates the
main HVAC load, enhancing efficiency.
• Energy Savings (%): Overall reduction in energy use with a DOAS
compared to an HVAC-only system, expressed as a
5percentage.
ration of a DOAS:
System Efficiency Metrics
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Ventilation Effectiveness
• Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER): Calculates the cooling capacity
• Ventilation Rate (CFM/person): Measures the amount of
per unit of energy consumed. With DOAS, the primary HVAC
outdoor air supplied per person. Systems with DOAS typically
EER might increase as it is relieved of ventilation duties.
provide more consistent and controlled ventilation rates.
• Coefficient of Performance (COP): Ratio of useful heating or
• Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Quantifies indoor air
cooling provided to the energy consumed. A higher COP
particulate concentrations. With DOAS, IAQ may improve as
indicates greater efficiency, and this metric can reveal how
the system continuously filters outdoor air.
DOAS integration improves or affects overall HVAC
• CO₂ Concentration (ppm): Measures CO₂ levels to assess
performance.
ventilation effectiveness. Lower CO₂ levels typically indicate
• Fan Power per CFM (W/CFM): Measures the energy efficiency
improved IAQ and ventilation rates.
of air movement. DOAS may improve this by separating
• Relative Humidity (%RH): Compares the stability of indoor
ventilation and temperature control.
relative humidity with and without DOAS, especially in spaces
with varying outdoor humidity.
PERFORMANCE METRIC
Using these performance metrics, a DOAS can clearly demonstrate improvements in
energy efficiency, indoor air quality, humidity control, and operational costs. The
primary HVAC system benefits from reduced loads, enhancing comfort and potentially
extending the life of HVAC components.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION SAVING

THANK YOU