Numerical modeling of rigid media evaporative cooler

In this study, the performance of rigid media evaporative cooler, equipped with corrugated papers as a wetted medium, was mathematically modeled. The governing equations of air were solved using finite difference analysis and Projection algorithm. Saturation efficiency and pressure drop as functions of air velocity and media depth were calculated. Effects of corrugation shape, mean plate space, Reynolds number and Prandtl number were also considered. Analysis of the results showed that efficiency improves with decreasing velocity and increasing depth of media. Pressure drop increases with increase of both velocity and media depth. In addition, efficiency becomes approximately independent of velocity with increasing depth to a certain value. Results obtained were compared with those of channel flow and showed that, corrugating one side of the channel at high velocity can improve efficiency by 40%.