Theoretical Performance Analysis Of Direct Evaporative Cooler In Hot And Dry Climates

摘要

Abstract: This paper is an attempt to theoretically analyse the performance of direct evaporative cooler in hot and dry climate with Kano being the study area. The performance of the cooler was determined at different air velocities at a saturation effectiveness of 50% to 90%. The determined parameters are the leaving air temperature, relative humidity, cooling capacity and the water consumption rates. The result shows that leaving air temperature of 21.90C and relative humidity of 82% were obtained with pad material of 90% saturation effectiveness. The cooling capacity and the water consumption rates are found to vary linearly with the saturation effectiveness. It is therefore axiomatic that direct evaporative coolers have high potential of providing thermal comfort for people in occupied spaces when moderate air velocities are used with pad materials of relatively higher saturation effectiveness.