EKS-HUM-034 / Dehumidification technology and performance
Regeneration Air
再生空气
Regeneration air is the airstream used to restore a desiccant and carry the released water vapour away from the dehumidifier.
- Aliases
- reactivation air, regeneration airstream
QUANTITY, SYMBOL AND UNIT
Quantity / objectRegeneration-air stream
Symbolṁ_r, Q_r
SIkg_da/skilogram of dry air per second
Commonm³/scubic metre per second
Definition
Regeneration air is the airstream used to restore a desiccant and carry the released water vapour away from the dehumidifier.
In a heat-regenerated rotor it is heated before entering the regeneration sector, gains moisture from the desiccant and is normally exhausted or otherwise managed outside the dry-air path. ASHRAE also uses the term reactivation air.
Relations and distinctions
Regeneration and process air
Regeneration air removes water from the desiccant; process air is the stream from which the dehumidifier removes water.
Regeneration air and purge air
Purge air can serve seal, cooling or performance functions depending on equipment. It should not be assumed to have the full regeneration duty.
Engineering meaning
- Specify inlet temperature, moisture content, mass flow, pressure and permissible exhaust routing.
- Review source-air variability because humid or low-temperature regeneration air can change available performance.
Common misconceptions
MisconceptionRegeneration airflow is only an exhaust figure and does not affect dry-air performance.
Accurate explanationIts state and flow determine how completely the desiccant is restored and therefore influence process outlet moisture.
Application boundaries
- Regeneration air may be outdoor air, conditioned air or another approved stream; the source must be stated.
- The term does not define heater type, heat input, energy recovery or exhaust treatment.
Supporting sources
-
ASHRAE / SRC-ASHRAE-S20-CH24
ASHRAE Handbook - HVAC Systems and Equipment, Chapter 24: Desiccant Dehumidification and Pressure-Drying Equipment ↗
2020 IP edition / Chapter 24, solid sorption and continuous reactivation sections
Supports: Reactivation air is the second stream that carries released moisture away; Its inlet temperature, moisture and velocity influence performance; Process and reactivation air have separate duties
Maintenance record
Regeneration Air
- Maintained by
- Yakeclimate Engineering Team
- Authoritative sources verified
- August 3, 2026
- Terminology checked
- August 3, 2026
- Last updated
- August 3, 2026