The Effects of Evaporative Cooling in Tropical Climate

Robert Poku^1, , Tokoni W. Oyinki¹ and Ezenwa A. Ogbonnaya¹

¹Department of Marine/Mechanical Engineering, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
Robert Poku, Tokoni W. Oyinki and Ezenwa A. Ogbonnaya. The Effects of Evaporative Cooling in Tropical Climate. American Journal of Mechanical Engineering. 2017; 5(4):145-150. doi: 10.12691/ajme-5-4-5

Abstract

The performance of thermal power plants, achievement of human comfort, preservation of groceries etc. are generally adversely affected by poor environmental conditions. In order to provide solutions to these challenges, an evaporative cooling system was developed and studied. The study was aimed at providing lower temperatures for the efficient performance of machineries and human comfort as well as lower temperature and higher relative humidity necessary for overcoming the above adverse condition. The performance of the cooler was evaluated in terms of temperature drop, cooler capacity, saturation efficiency and feasibility index. The results showed that evaporative cooling is achievable with feasibility index of F*≤ 10, when the difference between inlet dry bulb temperatures and wet bulb temperature are greater, T₁-T_w = 11.5°C and T₁-T₂= 25.22°C with F*=9; T₁-T_w= 12°C and T₁-T₂= 7.109°C with F*=10 respectively. The results also affirmed that cooler capacity and the saturation index are higher where the feasibility indexes are comparatively low.

Keywords:
evaporative cooler feasibility index saturation efficiency cooler capacity

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Figures

References:

[1]	Ndukwu, M. C., Manuwa, S. I., Olukunle, O. J. and Oluwalana, I. B. (2013) Mathematical Model for Direct Evaporative Space Cooling Systems. Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH) Vol. 32. No. 3. pp. 403-409.
[2]	Kulkarni, R. K., Rajput, S. P. S., Gutte, S. A. and Patil, D. M. (2014) Laboratory Performance Of Evaporative Cooler Using Jute Fiber Ropes As Cooling Media. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications, Vol. 4, Issue 12, pp. 60-66.
[3]	Dodoo, A., Gustavsson, L. and Sathre, L. (2011) “Building Energy-efficiency Standards in a Life Cycle Primary Energy Perspective,” Energy and Buildings, Vol. 43, No. 7, pp. 1589-1597.
[4]	Foster, R. E. (2013) Evaporative Air-Conditioning Contributions to Reducing GreenhouseGas Emissions and Global Warming. Retrieved 10 February, 2017 from the World Wide Web: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.576.7107&rep=rep1&type=pdf.
[5]	Sanchez-Mata (2003) New Recommendation for Building in Tropical Climates, Building and Environment. Vol. 28, pp. 271-278.
[6]	Liberty J. T; Okonkwo W. I. and Echiegu E. A. (2013). Evaporative Cooling: A Postharvest Technology for Fruits and Vegetables Preservation. International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, Vol. 4, Issue 8, 2257–2266.
[7]	Susan, D. S. and Durward S. (1995) G95-1264 Storing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. Retrieved 8 February, 2017 from the World Wide Web: http://digital commons.unl.edu/extensionhist/1042/.
[8]	Lerner, B. R., and Dana, M. N. (2001) Storing Vegetables and Fruits at Home, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, West Lafayette, Retrieved 12 January, 2017 from the World Wide Web: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ho 125.pdf.
[9]	Poku, R., Ogbonnaya, E. A. and Oyinki, W. T. (2015) Thermo-Economic Analysis of Evaporative Cooling in a Gas Turbine Plant in Niger Delta, Nigeria. OSR Journal of Engineering (IOSRJEN), Vol. 05, Issue 03: pp. 59-69.
[10]	Cengel and Boles (2006) Thermodynamic: An Engineering Approach; 5Th Edition, McGraw –Hill Companies , Inc., 1221 advance of Americans, New York 10020, pp. 584.
[11]	Rusten, E. (1985) Understanding Evaporative Cooling, Volunteers in Technical Assistance. Technical Paper #35. VITA, Virginia, USA.
[12]	Sushmita, M.D., Hemant, D., and Radhacharan, V. (2008) Vegetables in Evaporative Cool Chamber and in Ambient, Macmillan Publi. Ltd., London and Basingstoke, pp. 1-10.
[13]	Xuan, Y. M., Xiao, F., Niu, X. F., Huang, X. and Wang, S. W. (2012) Research and Application of Evaporative Cooling in China: A Review (I)–Research. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier. Issue 16, pp. 3535-3546.
[14]	Watt, J. R. (1963) Evaporative air conditioning. New York: The Industrial Press, p.300.
[15]	Ndukwu, M. C. and Manuwa, S. I. (2014) Review of Research and Application of Evaporative Cooling In Preservation of Fresh Agricultural Produce. Int J Agric & Biol Eng. Vol. 7, No.5: pp. 85-102.
[16]	Bhatia, A. (2012) Principles of Evaporative Cooling System. Retrieved 13 January, 2017 from the World Wide Web: file:///C:/Users/ROBERT/AppData/Local/Temp/m231content.pdf.
[17]	Watt, R. J. and Brown, W. K. (1994) Evaporative Air Conditioning Hand Book, 3rd edn(The Fairmane Press Inc, Liburn GA). pp.185-189.
[18]	Camargo, J. R., Ebinuma, C. D. and Cardoso, S. A. (2003) Mathematical Model for Direct Evaporative Cooling Air Conditioning System. Engenharia Térmica, Curitiba, Vol. 04, p. 30-34.
[19]	Kulkarni, R. K. and Rajput, S. P. S. (2011) “Comparative Performance of Evaporative Cooling pads of alternative Materials”. International Journal of Advanced Engineering Sciences and Technologies, Vol. 10, Issue 2, pp 239-244.