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A Parametric Study of an Indirect Evaporative Cooler Using a Spray Dryer Model

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  • Torsten Berning

    (AAU Energy, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark)

  • Tianbao Gu

    (AAU Energy, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark)

  • Chungen Yin

    (AAU Energy, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark)

Abstract

Indirect evaporative coolers (IECs) are becoming a viable alternative to the more energy-intensive traditional HVAC systems for space cooling, especially in arid regions. In this work, a recently developed computational model of an IEC was used to conduct a parametric study. The model employs a spray dryer model to track the flow path and evaporation rate of droplets. The key parameters investigated were the temperature of the droplets, a bypass effect where the amount of exhaust air and water was reduced to as low as 10%, and the length of the heat exchanger. The results suggest that the wet bulb efficiency could be increased from the previously observed 35% to 72.5% if the water temperature is decreased to 16 °C. In order to drastically increase the performance, the heat exchanger length should be increased from 50 cm to 100 cm, which could still end up in a more compact design overall as fewer plates are required. The bypass study resulted in peak performance when 40% of the secondary air flow was used as working air in conjunction with a proportional reduction in water usage. Overall, the computational model has been employed in an attempt to reduce the bulkiness, increase the efficiency and reduce the water consumption of such a system.

Suggested Citation

  • Torsten Berning & Tianbao Gu & Chungen Yin, 2025. "A Parametric Study of an Indirect Evaporative Cooler Using a Spray Dryer Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:16:p:4345-:d:1724820
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. 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.
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