Handbook

TC 8.12 Handbook Activities

Our committee is responsible for writing and updating two chapters in the ASHRAE Handbooks: Sorbents and Desiccants and Desiccant Dehumidification & Pressure Drying Equipment.

The chapter content is under continuous review. Printed versions are republished every four years. If you have a contribution to make in these areas, or if you have found errors, or if you have suggestions that would help us better meet your needs, please let us know through the Chair of our Handbook Subcommitte.

Here's a brief description of the chapters and their content. The links will take you to the ASHRAE online bookstore if you would care to purchase and download them.

ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals, Chapter 22, Sorbents and Desiccants (6 pages)
This chapter describes the fundamental behavior of desiccant materials. You'll find information about both liquid and solid desiccants, including their composition and typical sorption capacity when at equilibrium with air at different relative humidities. It's basically a discussion of material properties, but the chapter also relates fundamental desiccant behavior to the way those materials are used in dehumidifiers.

ASHRAE Handbook—Systems & Equipment, Chapter 22, Desiccant Dehumidification and Pressure Drying Equipment (11 pages)
In this chapter, we describe the two basic types of desiccant dehumidification equipment: liquid and solid. The chapter's graphics describe their configuration and their performance, and how that performance is affected by changes in key operating variables. We also discuss the equipment's operating, maintenance and commissioning considerations. Finally, the chapter describes several brief examples of where and why desiccant dehumidifiers are applied in commercial and industrial buildings.

The principal focus is on ambient pressure desiccant dehumidification equipment used in HVAC systems. And there is also a very brief discussion of pressure drying equipment. However, the chapter does not directly address residential uses.