Experimental Analysis of the Cooling Performance of A Fresh Air Handling Unit

Yousef Al Horr; Bourhan Tashtoush; Yousef Al Horr; Bourhan Tashtoush

doi:10.3934/energy.2020.2.299

AIMS Energy

2020, Volume 8, Issue 2: 299-319. doi: 10.3934/energy.2020.2.299

Previous Article Next Article

Research article Topical Sections

Experimental Analysis of the Cooling Performance of A Fresh Air Handling Unit

Yousef Al Horr ,
Bourhan Tashtoush ^,

Gulf Organisation for Research and Development, Qatar Science and Technology Park, P. O. Box 210162, Doha, Qatar

Received: 09 January 2020 Accepted: 13 April 2020 Published: 20 April 2020

An experimental investigation of the performance of a fresh air handling unit integrating indirect evaporative and vapor compression cooling is conducted. Temperature and relative humidity measurements at main points within the cooling unit were logged using a wireless data acquisition system. Experimental data downloaded from the acquisition system is used for linear regression analysis, and to calculate the wet-bulb thermal effectiveness, cooling capacity and coefficient of performance of the unit. The air conditioning unit is a patented system designed and assembled at the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) in Qatar. The peak wet-bulb thermal effectiveness of the system was found to be 1.3, and the COP was 3.4. The results showed that the unit could save as nearly 60% of the sensible cooling load required by a conventional vapor compression cooling unit. In addition, the unit could reduce power consumption by 36% when utilizing the indirect evaporative cooling cycle. Depending on ambient conditions, the investigated unit generated enough condensate to meet the water requirements of the indirect evaporative cooling cycle, which made the air conditioning system sustainable.
- indirect evaporative cooling,
- temperature effectiveness,
- energy saving,
- Wet-bulb thermal effectiveness,
- condensate generation
Citation: Yousef Al Horr, Bourhan Tashtoush. Experimental Analysis of the Cooling Performance of A Fresh Air Handling Unit[J]. AIMS Energy, 2020, 8(2): 299-319. doi: 10.3934/energy.2020.2.299

Related Papers:

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the performance of a fresh air handling unit integrating indirect evaporative and vapor compression cooling is conducted. Temperature and relative humidity measurements at main points within the cooling unit were logged using a wireless data acquisition system. Experimental data downloaded from the acquisition system is used for linear regression analysis, and to calculate the wet-bulb thermal effectiveness, cooling capacity and coefficient of performance of the unit. The air conditioning unit is a patented system designed and assembled at the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) in Qatar. The peak wet-bulb thermal effectiveness of the system was found to be 1.3, and the COP was 3.4. The results showed that the unit could save as nearly 60% of the sensible cooling load required by a conventional vapor compression cooling unit. In addition, the unit could reduce power consumption by 36% when utilizing the indirect evaporative cooling cycle. Depending on ambient conditions, the investigated unit generated enough condensate to meet the water requirements of the indirect evaporative cooling cycle, which made the air conditioning system sustainable.

References

[1]	Pinar M, Riffat S (2016) A state-of-the-art review of evaporative cooling systems for building applications. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev 54: 1240-1249. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.066
[2]	Baniassadi A, Hensinger J, Sailor D (2018) Building energy savings potential of hybrid roofing system involving high albedo, moisture-retaining foam materials. Energy Build 169: 283-294. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.04.004
[3]	Tashtoush B, Bani Younes M (2019) Comparative thermodynamic study of refrigerants to select the best Environment-Friendly refrigerant for use in a solar ejector cooling system. Arab J Sci Eng 44: 1165-1184. doi: 10.1007/s13369-018-3427-4
[4]	Al Shahrani J, Boait P (2019) Reducing high energy demand associated with air conditioning needs in Saudi Arabia. Energies 13: 87. doi: 10.3390/en13010087
[5]	Elakhdar M, Tashtoush B, Nehdi E, et al. (2018) Thermodynamic analysis of a novel Ejector Enhanced Vapor Compression Refrigeration (EEVCR) cycle. Energy 163: 1217-1230. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.09.050
[6]	Megdouli K, Tashtoush B, Nahdi E, et al. (2016) Thermodynamic analysis of a novel ejector-cascade refrigeration cycles for freezing process applications and air-conditioning. Int J Refrig 70: 108-118. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2016.06.029
[7]	Elakhdar M, Landoulsi H, Tashtoush B, et al. (2017) A combined thermal system of ejector refrigeration and Organic Rankine cycles for power generation using a solar parabolic trough. Energy Convers Manage 199: 111947.
[8]	Tashtoush BM, Al-Nimr MA, Khasawneh MA (2017) Investigation of the use of nano-refrigerants to enhance the performance of an ejector refrigeration system. Appl Energy 206: 1446-1463. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.09.117
[9]	Porumb B, Unguresan P, Tutunaru L, et al. (2016) A review of indirect evaporative cooling conditions and performances. Energy Procedia 85: 452-460. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2015.12.226
[10]	Al Horr Y, Tashtoush B, Chilengwe N, et al. (2019) Performance assessment of a hybrid vapor compression and evaporative cooling fresh-air-handling unit operating in hot climates. Processes 7: 872. doi: 10.3390/pr7120872
[11]	Duan Z, Zhan C, Zhang X, et al. (2012) Indirect evaporative cooling: Past present and future potentials. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev 16: 6823-6850. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2012.07.007
[12]	De Antonellis S, Joppolo C, Liberati P (2019) Performance measurements of a cross-flow indirect evaporative cooler: Effect of water nozzles and airflow arrangement. Energy Build 184: 114-121. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.11.049
[13]	Cui X, Chua K, Yang W (2014) Use of indirect evaporative cooling as pre-cooling unit in humid tropical climate: an energy saving technique. Energy Procedia 61: 176-179. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.11.933
[14]	Pandelidis D, Anisimov S, Drag P (2017) Performance comparison between selected evaporative air coolers. Energies 10: 577. doi: 10.3390/en10040577
[15]	Tashtoush B, Abu-Irshaid E (2001) Heat and fluid flow from a wavy surface subjected to a variable heat flux. Acta Mech 152: 1-8. doi: 10.1007/BF01176941
[16]	Rogdakis E, Tertipis D (2015) Maisotsenko cycle: technology overview and energy-saving potential in cooling systems. Energy Emiss Control Technol 3: 15-22.
[17]	Moshari S, Heidarinejad G (2015) Numerical study of regenerative evaporative coolers for sub-wet bulb cooling with cross- and counter-flow configuration. Appl Therm Eng 89: 669-683. doi: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.06.046
[18]	Chen Y, Yang H, Luo Y (2017) Parameter sensitivity analysis and configuration optimisation of indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) considering condensation. Appl Energy 194: 440-453. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.121
[19]	Gomez E, Gonzalez A, Martinez F (2012) Experimental characterisation of an indirect evaporative cooling prototype in two operating modes. Appl Energy 97: 340-346. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.12.065
[20]	Tashtoush B, Tahat M, Al-Hayajneh A, et al. (2001) Thermodynamic behaviour of an AC system employing combined evaporative-water and air coolers. Appl Energy 70: 305-319. doi: 10.1016/S0306-2619(01)00039-3
[21]	Chen Y, Yang H, Luo Y (2016) Experimental study of plate type air cooler performances under four operating modes. Build Environ 104: 296-310. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.05.022
[22]	El Dessouky H, Ettouney H, Al-Zeefari A (2004) Performance analysis of two-stage evaporative coolers. Chem Eng J 102: 255-266. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2004.01.036
[23]	Rajski K, Danielewicz J, Brychcy E (2020) Performance evaluation of a Gravity-Assisted heat Pipe-Based indirect evaporative cooler. Energies 13: 200. doi: 10.3390/en13010200
[24]	Saman W, Alizadeh S (2002) An experimental study of a cross-flow type plate heat exchanger for dehumidification/cooling. Sol Energy 73: 59-71. doi: 10.1016/S0038-092X(01)00078-0
[25]	Zhan C, Duan Z, Zhao X, et al. (2011) Comparative study of the performance of the M-Cycle counter-flow and cross-flow heat exchanger for indirect evaporative cooling-paving the path toward sustainable cooling of buildings. Energy 36: 6790-6805. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.10.019
[26]	Al Zubaydi A, Hong G (2019) Experimental study of a novel water spraying configuration in indirect evaporative cooling. Appl Therm Eng 151: 283-293. doi: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.02.019
[27]	Zhao X, Liu S, Riffat S (2008) Comparative study of heat and mass exchanging materials for indirect evaporative cooling systems. Build Environ 43: 1902-1911. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2007.11.009
[28]	Al Juwayhel F, El-Dessouky H, Ettouney H, et al. (2004) Experimental evaluation of one, two and three-stage evaporative cooling systems. Heat Trans Eng 25: 72-86.
[29]	Maheshwari G, Al Ragom F, Suri R (2001) Energy-saving potential of an indirect evaporative cooler. Appl Energy 69: 69-76. doi: 10.1016/S0306-2619(00)00066-0
[30]	Delfani S, Esmaeelian J, Pasdarshahri H, et al. (2010) Energy-saving potential of an indirect evaporative cooler as a pre-cooling unit for mechanical cooling systems in Iran. Energy Build 42: 2169-2176. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2010.07.009
[31]	Chauhan S, Rajput S (2015) Thermodynamic analysis of the evaporative vapour compression based combined air conditioning system for hot and dry climatic conditions. J Build Eng 4: 200-208. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2015.09.010
[32]	Kim M, Jeong J (2013) Cooling performance of a 100% outdoor air system integrated with indirect and direct evaporative coolers. Energy 52: 245-257. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2013.02.008
[33]	Porumb B, Balan M, Porumb R (2016) Potential of indirect evaporative cooling to reduce energy consumption in fresh air conditioning applications. Energy Procedia 85: 433-441. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2015.12.224
[34]	Tashtoush B, Al-Oqool A (2019) Factorial analysis and experimental study of water-based cooling system effect on the performance of photovoltaic module. Int J Environ Sci Technol 16: 3645-3656. doi: 10.1007/s13762-018-2044-9
[35]	Megdouli K, Tashtoush B, Ezzaalouni Y, et al. (2017) Performance analysis of a new ejector expansion refrigeration cycle (NEERC) for power and cold: Exergy and energy points of view. Appl Therm Eng 122: 39-48. doi: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.05.014
[36]	Karali N, Shah N, Park W, et al. (2020) Improving the energy efficiency of room air conditioners in China: Costs and benefits. Appl Energy 258: 114023. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114023
[37]	Tashtoush B, Nayfeh Y (2020) Energy and economic analysis of a variable-geometry ejector in solar cooling systems for residential buildings. J Energy Storage 27: 101061. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2019.101061

Reader Comments

Your name:*

Email:*
© 2020 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)