Theoretical analysis on heat and mass transfer in a direct evaporative cooler

Abstract The heat and mass transfer between air and water film in the direct evaporative cooler is theoretically analyzed in present paper. A simplified cooling efficiency correlation is proposed based on the energy balance analysis of air. The correlation may be applied to the water-drip cross-flow direct evaporative cooler, in which the wet special durable papers with different wave angles form the air channel. The Influences of the air frontal velocity and the thickness of pad module on the cooling efficiency of a direct evaporative cooler are discussed. An optimum frontal velocity of 2.5 m/s is recommended to decide the frontal area of pad module in the given air flow. The simplified correlation of cooling efficiency is validated by the test results of a direct evaporative cooler.

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