Study on Desiccant Air-Conditioning System for Livestock Application in Pakistan

Abstract

Air-conditioning should be considered as a basic need in developing countries like Pakistan. It is not only necessary for humans but also for agriculture sector especially for thermal comfort of livestock. Moreover, air-conditioning for the sake of livestock applications is almost negligible in developing countries like Pakistan. In this regard, many direct evaporative cooling systems are used conventionally in Pakistan, however, these systems are not feasible in monsoon season and in the humid areas of Pakistan. Therefore, desiccant based air-conditioning (D-AC) is a very promising solution for this problem. In this study, a comprehensive summary of the D-AC system supported by Maisotsenko-cycle based evaporative cooling and applicability of this system is discussed for livestock application in Pakistan. The requirements of humidity and temperature which are ideally required for thermal comfort of the livestock is represented on psychrometric chart. Different conditions of the air have been checked for temperature humidity index measurement i.e., ambient air and processed air through desiccant air conditioning system for climatic conditions for two major cities of Pakistan (Multan and Karachi). Moreover, some analyses have been concluded to examine the performance of D-AC system supported by M-cycle unit and crisscross its practicability for the studied region. Results express that M-cycle supported D-AC system can be a sustainable AC system for humid and hot climatic conditions of Pakistan. While the standalone D-AC system is good for humid but relatively lesser hot regions of Pakistan where temperature control is not so crucial.