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Life cycle assessment of a semi-indirect ceramic evaporative cooler vs. a heat pump in two climate areas of Spain

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  • Rey Martínez, F.J.
  • Velasco Gómez, E.
  • Martín García, C.
  • Sanz Requena, J.F.
  • Navas Gracia, L.M.
  • Hernández Navarro, S.
  • Correa Guimaraes, A.
  • Martín Gil, J.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the environmental profile of a semi-indirect ceramic evaporative cooler (SIEC) with low environmental impact and heat pipe (HP) heat-exchanger battery with that of a Split class heat pump. The comparison is carried out for two different climate areas in Spain, one a continental or inland climate (Valladolid) and the other representative of a Western European climate (Bilbao). The environmental and economic study is conducted using life cycle assessment (LCA) with two software tools provided by SimaPro® 7.1 LCA suite (Eco-indicator[`]99® and EPS 2000®). After the LCA sensitivity analysis results it can be clearly inferred that the major contribution to the categories of damage in both facilities (SIEC and heat pump) is the class of abiotic resources, followed by human health. The high contribution to environmental impact of the evaporative condenser, part of the SIEC-HP, should also be emphasized. With regard to the heat pump, electricity proves to be the main environmental burden, followed by the pump infrastructure, in which the compressor, the external battery, the external fan and the connection have the highest impacts, respectively. The ceramic evaporative cooler SIEC-HP is both environmentally and economically more profitable than the heat pump in the region of Castilla y León (Valladolid), whereas in humid coastal areas it proves less useful due to the higher operating costs associated to this equipment. Finally, the electricity savings expressed in CO2 emissions are compared. In the inland or dry area of Spain, the ceramic evaporative cooler is the most suitable option, whilst the heat pump proves more appropriate for cities with a humid climate such as those in the Basque Country (Bilbao).

Suggested Citation

  • Rey Martínez, F.J. & Velasco Gómez, E. & Martín García, C. & Sanz Requena, J.F. & Navas Gracia, L.M. & Hernández Navarro, S. & Correa Guimaraes, A. & Martín Gil, J., 2011. "Life cycle assessment of a semi-indirect ceramic evaporative cooler vs. a heat pump in two climate areas of Spain," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(3), pages 914-921, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:88:y:2011:i:3:p:914-921
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martínez, E. & Jiménez, E. & Blanco, J. & Sanz, F., 2010. "LCA sensitivity analysis of a multi-megawatt wind turbine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(7), pages 2293-2303, July.
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    1. Elsarrag, Esam & Igobo, Opubo N. & Alhorr, Yousef & Davies, Philip A., 2016. "Solar pond powered liquid desiccant evaporative cooling," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 124-140.
    2. Min, Yunran & Chen, Yi & Shi, Wenchao & Yang, Hongxing, 2021. "Applicability of indirect evaporative cooler for energy recovery in hot and humid areas: Comparison with heat recovery wheel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    3. Martinopoulos, G. & Tsilingiridis, G. & Kyriakis, N., 2013. "Identification of the environmental impact from the use of different materials in domestic solar hot water systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 545-555.
    4. Velasco Gómez, Eloy & Tejero González, Ana & Rey Martínez, Francisco Javier, 2012. "Experimental characterisation of an indirect evaporative cooling prototype in two operating modes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 340-346.

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