Performance Evaluation of Modified Evaporative Cooler through Simulation and Experimental Investigation in Indian Context

Abstract

This paper presents experimental investigation, and simulation of modified evaporative cooler (MEC) for producing cooled air without or nominal increment in humidity. The mathematical model is developed for the analysis of heat and mass transfer process involved during the process, and the model is validated with the experimental results. Further, the validated model has been used to analyze the performance of the system for weather conditions of five major cities in India. The results show that there is a significant temperature drop possible (ranging from 11.13 to 18.87 °C) without an increase in humidity, depending on the different climates. It has also been observed that performance is the best in Delhi conditions, followed by Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata. Additionally, this technique provides greater comfort than conventional systems, such as direct and indirect evaporative cooling. Furthermore, this effort will contribute to the development of design guidelines for MEC and its use in different climate conditions.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial and other essential support received from the host Institute, Institute of Infrastructure Technology Research and Management, (IITRAM) Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Manju Lata

Manju Lata completed her Ph.D. in 2021 from Institute of Infrastructure, Technology, Research, and Management, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. She completed M-Tech with specialization in Thermal System Design from SVNIT, Surat in 2014 and B-Tech in 2011 from IIMT College of Engineering, Greater Noida in Mechanical Engineering.

Rishabh Yadav

Rishabh Yadav earned his M. Tech (Industrial Infrastructure) in 2018 from Institute of Infrastructure, Technology, Research, and Management, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. He received his B-Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rajasthan Technical University, Rajasthan in 2017. He was associated with the ASHRAE Western India Chapter and has served as President of ASHRAE IITRAM Student Branch for the year 2019-20.

Dileep Kumar Gupta

Dileep Kumar Gupta presently working as faculty in Mechanical Engineering Department at Institute of Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Management, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. He earned his Ph.D. (Thermal Engineering) from BITS Pilani in 2014, M.Tech. (Heat Power Engineering) in 2006 from VNIT, Nagpur and his Bachelor degree (Mechanical Engineering) in 2004 from GEC Jagdalpur. His area of research is in thermal engineering with eco-friendly and energy efficiency systems. Thermal system research, including alternative refrigerants, and CO₂ - trans-critical system.