Describes a novel all-electric desiccant dehumidifying system demonstrated and evaluated at a supermarket field test site in New Jersey during 1995. Unlike traditional desiccant systems, this system uses waste heat from vapour compression refrigerating condensers to regenerate a recently developed desiccant material. The 7,000 cfm (3,300 L/s) unit has a latent capacity of approximately 7 tons (25 kW), with fan energy as the only purchased energy source. Discusses the performance of the desiccant system under field conditions and its interactions with the refrigerating and HVAC systems. Finds the system is 3 to 4 times more efficient for moisture removal than a conventional HVAC system with no deleterious effects on refrigerating system operations.

KEYWORDS: year 1997, Supermarkets, USA, site testing, desiccants, heat recovery, dehumidifying electrically operated