The present study investigates five kinds of adsorbents for desiccant air-conditioning (DAC) applications. Each adsorbent yield distinctive water vapor adsorption isotherm that can be categorized as type-I, type-II, type-Ill, type-V, and type-linear on the basis of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) classification. Ideal DAC cycle is evaluated for the air-conditioning (AC) applications, and steady-state moisture cycled (MCss) is estimated by means of adsorption isobars. Results showed that the adsorbent enabling type-linear adsorption isotherm gives maximum MCss for industrial AC processes of matches manufacturing/drying/storage, rubber dipped goods storage and photo studio drying room. However, adsorbent enabling type-V adsorption isotherm is found the optimum adsorbent for tobacco stemming/stripping/softening and optical lenses grinding. For industrial AC process of dipped surgical articles; adsorbents enabling type-II, type-linear, and type-1 adsorption isotherms are found the optimum choice at low (<68 degrees C), medium (68 degrees C-87 degrees C), and high (>87 degrees C) regeneration temperatures, respectively. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.