Journal Published Online: 30 March 2009
Volume 6, Issue 4

Tests of a Novel Ceiling Panel for Maintaining Space Relative Humidity by Moisture Transfer from an Aqueous Salt Solution

CODEN: JAIOAD

Abstract

Radiant ceiling panels are used to heat and cool occupied spaces as they satisfy comfort conditions better than all-air systems. Radiant panels also consume less energy as fan size and heating and cooling loads are reduced. A disadvantage of radiant ceiling panels is the lack of control of the relative humidity (RH) in the space, which can affect comfort. The goal of this research is to create a new ceiling panel that can transfer both heat and moisture to maintain temperature and RH in a space. The heat and moisture transfer panel (HAMP) is constructed from a porous membrane and uses a salt solution as the transfer media. Tests have been run on the HAMP using different salt solutions and temperatures in order to determine the amount of moisture transferred between the HAMP and the air. Given initially dry air, the HAMP is able to increase the RH of the air up to 15 % RH with water and up to 7.8 % RH with a salt solution. This results in a change in humidity ratio of 2.7 g/kg with water and 1.3 g/kg with a salt solution.

Author Information

Fauchoux, Melanie
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Simonson, Carey
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Torvi, David
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Pages: 10
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: JAI102034
ISSN: 1546-962X
DOI: 10.1520/JAI102034