1.

EVAPORATIVE COOLING AND ITS APPLICATION

Evaporative cooling is the process in which sensible heat is removed and moisture is added to
the air. When hot air is allowed to pass through water spray it gives up heat to water. At the
same time some of the water gets evaporated, and picks up heat from the air equivalent to its
latent heat. The vapour thus formed is carried along the air stream. In this way air is cooled
and simultaneously humidified.

Figure 4.1 ; Evaporative cooling

The wet bulb temperature is a measure of potential for evaporative cooling. The greater
difference between DBT and WBT, the greater will be evaporative cooling. When the
temperatures are same, no net evaporation of water in air will take place, thus there will be no
cooling effect. The simplest example of evaporating cooling is perspiration; sweet secreted
from human body, evaporation of which cools the body. The evaporation rate depends upon
the temperature and humidity of the air. During hot and humid day sweat accumulates more
as it does not evaporate. Evaporative cooling can be found in the following devices:
 Desert cooer,
 VCRS
 Janata cooler
 Hydro cooler,
 Bamboo cooler,
 Charcoal cooler etc.

1.1 Desert cooler

Before invention of air conditioner, desert coolers were very popular. These coolers are based
on the principal of evaporative cooling. They are relatively cheaper and require less energy
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compared to other forms of cooling. However desert coolers are effective only when climate
is hot and humidity is low. Thus popularity of such coolers is limited to dry climates only.
When deserts coolers are used, humidity level inside the room is increased. The people
living in dessert area may appreciate it as the moist air rehydrates their dry skin. However
excessive humidity may create different problems like swelling of wooden furniture, rusting
of metal etc. In desert cooler water evaporates into the environment and is not recovered.

1.2 VCRS
A simple vapour compression system also uses evaporative cooling, to cool surrounding air.

Figure 4.2; Vapour compression refrigeration system (VCRS)

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1.3 Janata cooler

Developed by food and nutrition board of India, the Janata cooler is one of the most
remarkable evaporative coolers. It is a pot in pot cooler developed by Dr. Bah Abba
(Nigeria), he received Rolex award for this invention; pot in pot cooler. It is used for storage
of fruits and vegetables. Janata cooler (developed by food nutrition board of India) is a
modification of the pot in pot cooler.

Figure 4.3: Pot in Pot Cooler

1.4 Hydro cooler

Hydro-Coolers quickly reduce the core temperature of fresh produce, extending shelf-life
while preserving flavour and appearance. Water is sprayed over a heat exchanger which is
cooled to several degrees below freezing by refrigerant. As the water passes over the heat
exchanger, the water cools to a user-set temperature. Cooled water then floods down onto
produce. Water is collected in a tank at the base of the Hydro-Cooler for recycling.

Figure 4.4: Hydro Cooler

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