A thermally regenerative desiccant element comprising micron size silica gel and held within an expanded web of a fluoroplastic elastomer is disclosed. The expanded web of silica gel is bonded onto a heat conductive plate to form the desiccant element. The desiccant elements are stacked in an arrangement such that the air to be processed passes in contact with the silica gel. The other side of the plate is made to come in contact with a stream of humidified cooled air. The cooled air removes the heat of sorption when the silica gel sorbs moisture. A solar collector is used to heat ambient air for regeneration of the silica gel.
