Semco LLC introduced the ASCENDANT™ Series, a conventional cooling and active desiccant dehumidification hybrid system with regeneration input. Available in five standard models ranging up to 20,000 cfm, the ASCENDANT Series is ideal for hospital operating rooms, archival and dry storage, hotel/condo buildings, and other applications requiring low dew point temperatures and supply air humidity levels as low as 15 grains.
 
The ASCENDANT design can operate as a partial or DOAS, or as a true variable air volume (VAV) unit. Compared to conventional mechanical DX or chiller systems, the company claims an ASCENDANT provides up to three-times more dehumidification capacity, achieves dew point temperatures as low as 20°F, and uses up to 60% less cooling input. An ASCENDANT allows the building HVAC system to run more efficiently by utilizing higher coil air discharge and central plant suction temperatures, thus it's compliant with ASHRAE 90.1 building energy, ASHRAE 170 ventilation, and ASHRAE 62.1 IAQ standards.

An ASCENDANT also operates without the need for exhaust energy recovery. As latent loads are handled mostly by inexpensive hot water, steam, waste heat or direct gas-fired regeneration energy, the ASCENDANT Series is 50% to 75% more efficient than conventional DX dehumidifiers using compressors alone, according to Semco.  

www.semcohvac.com