Apartment complexes show wide variation in cooling demand by household. To introduce efficient district cooling in apartments, small-scale, individual cooling technology is needed rather than the large centralized systems used until now. Since 1999, KIST has been conducting research in this area. We spoke with Lee Dae-young, Director of the Urban Energy Research Center, who leads development of desiccant cooling systems.
■ What is Desiccant Cooling?
Desiccant cooling is a heat-driven air conditioning technology that removes humidity from the air using materials like silica gel or zeolite.
Because CHP plants have little heat demand in summer, applying desiccant cooling not only improves building comfort but also raises CHP operating rates, contributing to national energy efficiency. The system independently controls both temperature and humidity, handles latent loads effectively, and operates without refrigerants—thus avoiding ozone depletion or greenhouse effects.
■ Global R&D Status
The IEA launched international cooperation on solar heating and cooling in 1974, with desiccant cooling as a key technology. Germany, France, and the UK led early prototype development and field trials. The research tied into the EU’s Framework Program and the 2008 ROCOCO Project, which confirmed desiccant cooling as the most economical solar cooling method in terms of installation and operating costs.
As a result, desiccant cooling systems using low-temperature heat sources were commercialized in 2008 by Munters, the world leader in the field. Today, solar and waste-heat-powered desiccant cooling technologies are being actively deployed worldwide.
Same temperature, no humidity. Humicon features desiccant technology that helps maintain optimal humidity at 40%. It also includes air purification and ventilation functions, ensuring fresh and clean indoor air.
Huzero is an industrial dehumidifier designed for low-temperature and extremely low-humidity environments to improve factory productivity, offering energy efficiency 60% higher than existing market products.
Husheet is an innovative and patented technology, ultra-slim dehumidifier that can control humidity as well as deodorizing. It also has dehumidifying, deodorizing, antibacterial, and anti-fungal functions.
Protect your valuable clothes and belongings from humidity with Huspot, a desiccant dehumidifier designed specifically for dressing rooms in your home. Huspot effectively removes moisture from bathrooms and other areas using advanced desiccant technology, and safely release the humidity outside. Therefore, it is not neccessary to empty a water tank, install pipes, or worry about water leaks. Huspot can be installed on the ceiling, allowing you to maximize the use of your dressing room space while maintaining an optimal humidity level for your clothes and accessories. Keep your dressing room fresh and humidity-free with Huspot.
