Experimental investigation of desert cooler performance using four different cooling pad materials

Abstract

Evaporative cooling is a very common form of cooling buildings for thermal comfort since it is relatively cheap and requires less energy than many other forms of cooling. However evaporative cooling requires an abundant water source as an evaporate, and is only efficient when the relative humidity is low, restricting its effective use to dry climates. Traditionally, evaporative cooler pads consist of excelsior (wood wool) inside containment net. Padding media plays a large part in cooling efficiency and water consumption. This paper investigate a performance of Desert Cooler using four different pad materials in terms of cooling efficiency ,water consumption and air velocity. Pads of Stainless steel wire mesh, coconut coir, Khus and Wood wool were fabricated and tested using a laboratory-scale experimental arrangement. Maximum water consumption was observed in wood wool pad (0.24 Lit/min). Coconut coir (0.134 Lit/min) and Khus pad (0.21 Lit/min) also shown less water consumption rate as compared to conventional wood wool pad. Minimum water consumption was observed in Stainless steel wire mesh pad (0.066 Lit/min) at same fan speed. Stainless steel wire mesh pad (4.5 m/s) and coconut coir pad (5.2 m/s) shown higher air velocity which provides proper air distribution in room while Wood wool pad (4m/s) and Khus pad (3.4 m/s) were shown lower velocity. Maximum and minimum cooling efficiency were found in wood wool pad and Stainless steel wire mesh pad.