Performance evaluation of an indirect evaporative cooler under controlled environmental conditions

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37 Scopus citations

Abstract

The study investigated the performance of a 5-ton capacity indirect evaporative cooler under controlled environmental conditions (43.9 C dry-bulb temperature and 19.9% relative humidity) but for different air flow rates (631 to 2388 m3/h). The experimental results showed that the intake air energy efficiency ratio of the cooler varied from 7.1 to 55.1 depending on test conditions and air flow rate. The power consumption of indirect evaporative cooler was found to vary from 68.3 to 746 watts. Water consumption was found to vary between 0.0160 and 0.0598 m3/h. At full fan speed, an average of 58.7% of the total water consumed by indirect evaporative cooler was evaporated. The results indicated that intake air energy efficiency ratio was directly proportional to the wet-bulb depression. The study also showed that the indirect evaporative cooler is suitable for hot and dry climatic conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)278-285
Number of pages8
JournalEnergy and Buildings
Volume62
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Research Institute of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Keywords

  • Dew-point effectiveness
  • Indirect evaporative cooler
  • Intake air energy efficiency ratio
  • Water evaporation rate
  • Wet-bulb depression
  • Wet-bulb temperature

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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