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Numerical simulation of a novel energy-efficient dew-point evaporative air cooler

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  • Cui, X.
  • Chua, K.J.
  • Yang, W.M.

Abstract

We present simulation results on a novel dew-point evaporative air conditioner which was designed based on a counter-flow closed-loop configuration consisting of separated working channels and product channels. The novel evaporative air conditioner is able to cool air to temperature below ambient wet-bulb temperature and approaching dew-point temperature. To investigate the performance of the evaporative air cooler under a variety of conditions, the Eulerian–Lagrangian computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was adopted. We validated the model by comparing the temperature distributions and outlet air conditions against experimental data. The numerical model showed good agreement with the experimental findings to within±10%. Impacts due to the inlet air condition, the air flow velocity, the dimension of the airflow passages, and the product-to-working air flow ratio on the cooler performance were analyzed. Simulation results have indicated that the novel dew-point evaporative air conditioner is able to achieve a higher wet-bulb and dew-point effectiveness with lower air velocity, smaller channel height, larger length-to-height ratio, and lower product-to-working air flow ratio.

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  • Cui, X. & Chua, K.J. & Yang, W.M., 2014. "Numerical simulation of a novel energy-efficient dew-point evaporative air cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 979-988.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:136:y:2014:i:c:p:979-988
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.04.040
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    14. Hadeed Ashraf & Muhammad Sultan & Uzair Sajjad & Muhammad Wakil Shahzad & Muhammad Farooq & Sobhy M. Ibrahim & Muhammad Usman Khan & Muhammad Ahmad Jamil, 2022. "Potential Investigation of Membrane Energy Recovery Ventilators for the Management of Building Air-Conditioning Loads," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-23, March.
    15. Chen, Yi & Yang, Hongxing & Luo, Yimo, 2017. "Parameter sensitivity analysis and configuration optimization of indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) considering condensation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 440-453.
    16. Cui, X. & Islam, M.R. & Mohan, B. & Chua, K.J., 2016. "Theoretical analysis of a liquid desiccant based indirect evaporative cooling system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 303-312.
    17. Ham, Sang-Woo & Jeong, Jae-Weon, 2016. "DPHX (dew point evaporative heat exchanger): System design and performance analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 132-145.
    18. Shahzad, Muhammad Wakil & Lin, Jie & Xu, Ben Bin & Dala, Laurent & Chen, Qian & Burhan, Muhammad & Sultan, Muhammad & Worek, William & Ng, Kim Choon, 2021. "A spatiotemporal indirect evaporative cooler enabled by transiently interceding water mist," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    19. Cui, Yuanlong & Zhu, Jie & Zoras, Stamatis & Liu, Lin, 2021. "Review of the recent advances in dew point evaporative cooling technology: 3E (energy, economic and environmental) assessments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    20. Akhlaghi, Yousef Golizadeh & Ma, Xiaoli & Zhao, Xudong & Shittu, Samson & Li, Junming, 2019. "A statistical model for dew point air cooler based on the multiple polynomial regression approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 868-881.
    21. Xiao, Xin & Liu, Jinjin, 2024. "A state-of-art review of dew point evaporative cooling technology and integrated applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    22. Kim, Hui-Jeong & Ham, Sang-Woo & Yoon, Dong-Seob & Jeong, Jae-Weon, 2017. "Cooling performance measurement of two cross-flow indirect evaporative coolers in general and regenerative operation modes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 268-277.
    23. Lin, Jie & Bui, Duc Thuan & Wang, Ruzhu & Chua, Kian Jon, 2018. "On the fundamental heat and mass transfer analysis of the counter-flow dew point evaporative cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 126-142.
    24. Jing Lv & Bo Zhou & Mengya Zhu & Wenhao Xi & Eric Hu, 2022. "Experimental Study on the Performance of a Dew-Point Evaporative Cooling System with a Nanoporous Membrane," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-17, April.
    25. Yang, Hongxing & Shi, Wenchao & Chen, Yi & Min, Yunran, 2021. "Research development of indirect evaporative cooling technology: An updated review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).

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