IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v341y2025ics0360544225050534.html

Energy-efficient cooling in tropical climates: Integrating desiccant wheels with novel dew-point evaporative cooler designs

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, B.C.
  • Chen, Z.
  • Wei, C.D.
  • Ding, J.N.
  • Cheng, G.G.
  • Bui, D.T.

Abstract

This study examines the performance of a hybrid system that integrates a desiccant wheel (DW) with an indirect dew-point evaporative cooler (IDEC) into a single unit for efficient air conditioning in tropical climates. The system incorporates a compact IDEC design, known for its straight-through airflow, to reduce pressure drops and improve energy efficiency. Three-dimensional simulations were conducted on the COMSOL Multiphysics v5.6 platform, addressing the complex couplings of fluid dynamics, heat, and mass transfer within real-sized components. The models were optimized and validated against performance data to ensure high reliability. Comprehensive parametric studies revealed stable system operation and rapid output air cooling. The hybrid system demonstrated an impressive electrical coefficient of performance (COP) of 10.7. A comparative analysis shows this performance is highly competitive, surpassing other recently reported hybrid desiccant-evaporative cooling systems. A balanced performance was achieved at a working ratio of 0.5, while the optimal thermal performance was found at regeneration temperatures between 70 and 110 °C and a regeneration angle of 120°. The system's coefficients of performance showed minimal sensitivity to changes in input air humidity, and MIL-100(Fe) was identified as a superior desiccant to silica gel. This work demonstrates the system's potential as a highly efficient and sustainable cooling solution, particularly when regeneration heat is available from waste or solar sources.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, B.C. & Chen, Z. & Wei, C.D. & Ding, J.N. & Cheng, G.G. & Bui, D.T., 2025. "Energy-efficient cooling in tropical climates: Integrating desiccant wheels with novel dew-point evaporative cooler designs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:341:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225050534
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139411
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225050534
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.139411?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhan, Changhong & Duan, Zhiyin & Zhao, Xudong & Smith, Stefan & Jin, Hong & Riffat, Saffa, 2011. "Comparative study of the performance of the M-cycle counter-flow and cross-flow heat exchangers for indirect evaporative cooling – Paving the path toward sustainable cooling of buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 6790-6805.
    2. Park, Joon-Young & Kim, Beom-Jun & Yoon, Soo-Yeol & Byon, Yoo-Suk & Jeong, Jae-Weon, 2019. "Experimental analysis of dehumidification performance of an evaporative cooling-assisted internally cooled liquid desiccant dehumidifier," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 177-185.
    3. 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).
    4. Kim, Min-Hwi & Park, Jun-Seok & Jeong, Jae-Weon, 2013. "Energy saving potential of liquid desiccant in evaporative-cooling-assisted 100% outdoor air system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 726-736.
    5. Mahmood, Muhammad H. & Sultan, Muhammad & Miyazaki, Takahiko & Koyama, Shigeru & Maisotsenko, Valeriy S., 2016. "Overview of the Maisotsenko cycle – A way towards dew point evaporative cooling," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 537-555.
    6. Wang, B.C. & Chen, Z. & You, G.L. & Ding, J.N. & Cheng, G.G. & Bui, T.D., 2024. "Performance assessment of a high-efficiency indirect dew-point evaporative cooler through three-dimensional modeling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    7. Duan, Zhiyin & Zhao, Xudong & Li, Junming, 2017. "Design, fabrication and performance evaluation of a compact regenerative evaporative cooler: Towards low energy cooling for buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(P1), pages 506-519.
    8. Ma, Xiaoli & Zeng, Cheng & Zhu, Zishang & Zhao, Xudong & Xiao, Xin & Akhlaghi, Yousef Golizadeh & Shittu, Samson, 2023. "Real life test of a novel super performance dew point cooling system in operational live data centre," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    9. Liu, M. & Prabakaran, V. & Bui, T. & Cheng, G.G. & Pang, W., 2023. "Three-dimensional numerical analysis of fin-tube desiccant-coated heat exchanger for air dehumidification in tropics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    10. Kikegawa, Yukihiro & Genchi, Yutaka & Kondo, Hiroaki & Hanaki, Keisuke, 2006. "Impacts of city-block-scale countermeasures against urban heat-island phenomena upon a building's energy-consumption for air-conditioning," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(6), pages 649-668, June.
    11. Chen, Yi & Yang, Hongxing & Luo, Yimo, 2018. "Investigation on solar assisted liquid desiccant dehumidifier and evaporative cooling system for fresh air treatment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 114-127.
    12. Xu, Peng & Ma, Xiaoli & Zhao, Xudong & Fancey, Kevin, 2017. "Experimental investigation of a super performance dew point air cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 761-777.
    13. 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.
    14. Vivekh, P. & Kumja, M. & Bui, D.T. & Chua, K.J., 2018. "Recent developments in solid desiccant coated heat exchangers – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 778-803.
    15. Sadighi Dizaji, Hamed & Hu, Eric Jing & Chen, Lei, 2018. "A comprehensive review of the Maisotsenko-cycle based air conditioning systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 725-749.
    16. Daou, K. & Wang, R.Z. & Xia, Z.Z., 2006. "Desiccant cooling air conditioning: a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 55-77, April.
    17. Su Liu & Jae-Weon Jeong, 2020. "Energy Performance Comparison between Two Liquid Desiccant and Evaporative Cooling-Assisted Air Conditioning Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wang, B.C. & Chen, Z. & You, G.L. & Ding, J.N. & Cheng, G.G. & Bui, T.D., 2024. "Performance assessment of a high-efficiency indirect dew-point evaporative cooler through three-dimensional modeling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    2. 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).
    3. Zhu, Guangya & Wen, Tao & Wang, Qunwei & Xu, Xiaoyu, 2022. "A review of dew-point evaporative cooling: Recent advances and future development," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    4. Sadighi Dizaji, Hamed & Hu, Eric Jing & Chen, Lei & Pourhedayat, Samira, 2018. "Development and validation of an analytical model for perforated (multi-stage) regenerative M-cycle air cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 2176-2194.
    5. 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).
    6. Pandelidis, Demis & Cichoń, Aleksandra & Pacak, Anna & Anisimov, Sergey & Drąg, Paweł, 2018. "Counter-flow indirect evaporative cooler for heat recovery in the temperate climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PA), pages 877-894.
    7. Tariq, Rasikh & Sheikh, Nadeem Ahmed & Livas-García, A. & Xamán, J. & Bassam, A. & Maisotsenko, Valeriy, 2021. "Projecting global water footprints diminution of a dew-point cooling system: Sustainability approach assisted with energetic and economic assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    8. Tariq, Rasikh & Sheikh, Nadeem Ahmed & Xamán, J. & Bassam, A., 2018. "An innovative air saturator for humidification-dehumidification desalination application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 789-807.
    9. Zanchini, Enzo & Naldi, Claudia, 2019. "Energy saving obtainable by applying a commercially available M-cycle evaporative cooling system to the air conditioning of an office building in North Italy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 975-988.
    10. Shi, Wenchao & Ma, Xiaochen & Zhang, Yanling & Yang, Hongxing, 2025. "Towards carbon neutrality: An advanced hybrid indirect evaporative cooling solution for data centers in hot and humid regions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 396(C).
    11. Cui, Xin & Yan, Weichao & Liu, Yilin & Zhao, Min & Jin, Liwen, 2020. "Performance analysis of a hollow fiber membrane-based heat and mass exchanger for evaporative cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    12. Sadighi Dizaji, Hamed & Hu, Eric Jing & Chen, Lei & Pourhedayat, Samira, 2020. "Analytical/experimental sensitivity study of key design and operational parameters of perforated Maisotsenko cooler based on novel wet-surface theory," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    13. Oh, Seung Jin & Shahzad, Muhammad Wakil & Burhan, Muhammad & Chun, Wongee & Kian Jon, Chua & KumJa, M. & Ng, Kim Choon, 2019. "Approaches to energy efficiency in air conditioning: A comparative study on purge configurations for indirect evaporative cooling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 505-515.
    14. Rasikh Tariq & Changhong Zhan & Nadeem Ahmed Sheikh & Xudong Zhao, 2018. "Thermal Performance Enhancement of a Cross-Flow-Type Maisotsenko Heat and Mass Exchanger Using Various Nanofluids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-19, October.
    15. Lanbo Lai & Xiaolin Wang & Gholamreza Kefayati & Eric Hu, 2021. "Evaporative Cooling Integrated with Solid Desiccant Systems: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-23, September.
    16. Muhammad Aleem & Ghulam Hussain & Muhammad Sultan & Takahiko Miyazaki & Muhammad H. Mahmood & Muhammad I. Sabir & Abdul Nasir & Faizan Shabir & Zahid M. Khan, 2020. "Experimental Investigation of Desiccant Dehumidification Cooling System for Climatic Conditions of Multan (Pakistan)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-23, October.
    17. 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).
    18. Yugang Wang & Xiang Huang & Li Li, 2018. "Comparative Study of the Cross-Flow Heat and Mass Exchangers for Indirect Evaporative Cooling Using Numerical Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-14, December.
    19. Lin, Jie & Bui, Duc Thuan & Wang, Ruzhu & Chua, Kian Jon, 2018. "On the exergy analysis of the counter-flow dew point evaporative cooler," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PB), pages 958-971.
    20. Jradi, M. & Riffat, S., 2014. "Experimental investigation of a biomass-fuelled micro-scale tri-generation system with an organic Rankine cycle and liquid desiccant cooling unit," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 80-93.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:341:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225050534. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.