Comparative Analysis of the Cooling Efficiency in Tropical Climate of Three Alternative Materials for Evaporative Cooling Pads

A comparison between commercial cellulose evaporative cooling pad and pads manufactured with three alternative materials was made for environmental conditions typical of tropical countries. Wind tunnel tests were carried out to compute the convective heat and mass transfer coefficients and to measur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied sciences 2022-01, Vol.12 (1), p.77
Main Authors: Obando Vega, Felipe Andrés, Montoya Rios, Ana Paola, Osorio Saraz, Jairo Alexander, Damasceno, Flávio Alves, Barbari, Matteo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alternative materials
Cellulose
Comparative analysis
Cooling
cooling efficiency
cooling pad
Efficiency
Environmental conditions
Evaporative cooling
Heat
Humidity
Mathematical models
Pressure drop
Relative humidity
Temperature
temperature–humidity index
Thermal stress
Thickness
Velocity
Water flow
Wind tunnel testing
Wind tunnels
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Summary:A comparison between commercial cellulose evaporative cooling pad and pads manufactured with three alternative materials was made for environmental conditions typical of tropical countries. Wind tunnel tests were carried out to compute the convective heat and mass transfer coefficients and to measure the pressure drop across each pad, obtaining expressions that can be used as reference for future simulations. Using a mathematical model, a detailed analysis of the efficiency, Temperature–Humidity Index, temperature drop and relative humidity through the pads was performed in terms of different operative and constructive conditions, such as air velocities, dry-bulb temperatures, relative humidity and pad thickness. Significant differences between the pressure drop across the pads were found, which increases with the inlet air velocity and water flow. A weak relation between the analysed variables and the inlet air velocity was found, while a high correlation between the analysed variables, pad thickness and the external environmental conditions was established. Cooling efficiencies above 40% and a Temperature–Humidity Index below the mild zone of thermal stress were obtained for the alternative panels. Although the cellulose cooling pad showed the best behaviour in all aspects, the alternative pads can be used as substituted in specific applications to reduce the Temperature–Humidity Index inside agricultural facilities.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app12010077