Heat and mass transfer processes in a cross flow liquid desiccant dehumidifier, in which wet durable honeycomb paper constitutes the packing material, is investigated in this paper. The device is expected to be used in hot and humid areas to control the indoor humidity environment. A mathematical model, able to determine the heat and mass transfer between the air and the falling film of liquid desiccant, is developed, and the analysis on Nusselt and Sherwood numbers at the liquid-air interface is performed considering the solution of 40% H2O/CaCl2. Also obtained is the theoretical Nusselt number under assumed conditions and the relevant analysis, as well as the comparison between the two results. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.