Understanding Desiccant Dehumidification

Our equipment removes moisture from the air by means of a desiccant: a substance that adsorbs water (in a vapor state). This desiccant (silica gel, molecular sieve, or activated alumina) is impregnated into paper sheets which are then wound into a wheel (called the rotor). The rotor is divided into two sectioned air streams (process and react) and rotates very slowly (3-30 RPH). When the processed air (outside air or return air from conditioned space) is passed through the rotor, the moisture in the  air stream is adsorbed by the rotor, leaving the dried air to be sent to the designated space via process fan. The water from the processed air that has been adsorbed by the rotor now needs to be removed in order to continue the indefinite process. The reactivation air provides this task. The air stream is normally outside air that is heated to 200° - 310° F.  This heat passes over the rotor and sets the bound water free. This air stream is extremely humid and is ducted outside.