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Experimental investigation on performance of fabrics for indirect evaporative cooling applications

Xu, Peng; Ma, Xiaoli; Zhao, Xudong; Fancey, Kevin S.

Authors

Peng Xu



Abstract

© 2016 Indirect evaporative cooling, by using water evaporation to absorb heat to lower the air temperature without adding moisture, is an extremely low energy and environmentally friendly cooling principle. The properties of the wet channel surface in an indirect evaporating cooler, i.e. its moisture wicking ability, diffusivity and evaporation ability, can greatly affect cooling efficiency and performance. Irregular fibres help to divert moisture and enlarge the wetted area, thus promoting evaporation. A range of fabrics (textiles) weaved from various fibres were experimentally tested and compared to Kraft paper, which has been conventionally used as a wet surface medium in evaporative coolers. It was found that most of the textile fabrics have superior properties in moisture wicking ability, diffusivity and evaporation ability. Compared with Kraft paper, the wicking ability of some fabrics was found to be 171%–182% higher, the diffusion ability 298%–396% higher and evaporation ability 77%–93% higher. A general assessment concerning both the moisture transfer and mechanical properties found that two of the fabrics were most suitable for indirective evaporative cooling applications.

Citation

Xu, P., Ma, X., Zhao, X., & Fancey, K. S. (2016). Experimental investigation on performance of fabrics for indirect evaporative cooling applications. Building and Environment, 110, 104-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.10.003

Acceptance Date Oct 9, 2016
Online Publication Date Oct 11, 2016
Publication Date 2016-12
Deposit Date Jun 7, 2017
Publicly Available Date Jun 7, 2017
Journal Building and environment
Print ISSN 0360-1323
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 110
Pages 104-114
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.10.003
Keywords Moisture wicking; Evaporation; Diffusivity; Indirect evaporative cooling
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/452045
Publisher URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036013231630395X
Additional Information Authors' accepted manuscript of article published in: Building and environment, 2016, v.110.
Contract Date Jun 7, 2017