Experimental Analysis of the Dew Point Indirect Evaporative Cooler Operating with Solar Panels

Abstract

Indirect evaporative cooling can meaningfully improve the natural environment. It involves low operating costs for air cooling systems. The dew point indirect evaporative cooler (DP-IEC) is energy-efficient, ecological, and economical. The current study reports on an experimental analysis of a DP-IEC working under a wide range of operating conditions and integrated with a solar panel system. The electricity consumption of the DP-IEC can be met by utilizing renewable energy technology (solar panels). The system is designed for a cooling capacity of up to 3 kW, with an energy efficiency ratio of about 20. The experimental setup is investigated here in terms of velocity, water temperature, ambient air temperature, and air humidity. The temperature is dropped from 43 °C to 23 °C (i.e., 20 °C temperature drop) at 20% humidity and from 49 °C to 24 °C (i.e., 25 °C temperature drop) at 13% humidity at a fixed air velocity and water temperature. The cooling capacity, coefficient of performance, and energy efficiency ratio values vary across the ranges of 1612–3215 W, 2.93–5.85, and 9.21–18.37, respectively. The DP-IEC is integrated with solar panels to offset the electricity consumption. This research work also shows that the DP-IEC, when integrated with renewable energy technology (i.e., solar panels), provides energy savings as compared with air conditioners. As such, it is suitable for use in several areas around the world.