Thermal performance of an evaporatively cooled building : Parametric studies

A single-storey office building in a hot and dry climate is modelled for evaporative cooling. The counterflow cooling tower is modified to precool the tower inlet air by the tower exit air in a heat exchanger. Centralized evaporative air cooling, using the modified cooling tower, and roof evaporative cooling are considered to provide comfortable living conditions in the space. The thermal performance of such a building is analysed for various operating parameters. The study indicates that centralized evaporative air cooling is feasible, to maintain near-perfect comfort conditions in hot and dry climates. Modified cooling tower and roof evaporative cooling further enhance the scope of evaporative cooling for comfort applications.