Spreadsheet Modeling to Size Dairy Sprinkler and Fan Cooling System

A tool was developed to assist the cooling systems designer in designing and installing a microsprinkler and fan cooling system. The tool was developed by integrating a mathematical model into an electronic spark map in order to use the mathematical model practically. The mathematical model was developed using the designs, parameters, variables, and constant values of the microsprinkler and fan cooling system. Subsequently, MS-Excel was used to develop the spark map of the mathematical model and to show the results of the input settings automatically. The spark map, using the mathematical model, assists the designer in making decisions to specify and to calculate the required discharge of cooling system pump, length and diameter of cooling system pipelines, number of cooling fans, and number of microsprinklers. Moreover, this tool calculates the capital investment and the fixed, variable, and total costs of the cooling system. However, the mathematical model of the spark map requires some input data, such as: pressure and discharge of microsprinklers, and some other engineering parameters. Data of 4 cooling systems were used to carry out the model validation. The differences between actual and calculated values were determined, and the standard deviations were calculated. The coefficients of variation were between 2.25% and 4.13%.