Numerical study of a regenerative counter flow evaporative cooler using alumina nanoparticles in wet channel

Sheikh, Nadeem Ahmed; Tariq, Rasikh; Zhan, Changhong; Zhao, Xudong; Sheikh, Nadeem A.

Abstract

The use of Maisotsenko Cycle (M-Cycle) has enhanced the domain of evaporative cooling technologies to sub-wet bulb temperature cooling while ensuring moisture control. Several studies have demonstrated the use of cross-flow heat & mass exchanger (HMX) offers higher cooling capacity; however, it has lower cooling effectiveness and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). In contrast, a counter-flow (HMX) offers high cooling effectiveness with lower cooling capacity. In this paper, the performance of counter-flow HMX is enhanced by addition of alumina nanoparticles in feed water due to enhanced heat and mass transfer characteristics of nanofluids compared to original base fluid. Here, a mathematical model is formulated by incorporating the nanofluids in a selected control volume. The developed model is solved numerically on a discretized HMX length. Initially, the model is benchmarked against previously published results using water as base fluid. A comparison between HMX performance using water and alumina nanofluid is performed in terms of Performance Enhancement Ratio (PER). PER indicates 1-18% increase in cooling effectiveness, 18-43% increase in cooling capacity and 9-19% increase in EER by using alumina in water when working air temperature is increased from 20°C to 45°C. Similarly, an increase in PER is also observed by changing air velocity. Increase of 41% is observed in cooling capacity and 18% increase in EER is observed by changing particle volume fraction from 0 to 2 percent. This research identifies ways to reduce the carbon emissions of a building by increasing the energy efficiency of existing evaporative cooling technology using nanofluids.

Citation

Sheikh, N. A., Tariq, R., Zhan, C., Zhao, X., & Sheikh, N. A. (2018). Numerical study of a regenerative counter flow evaporative cooler using alumina nanoparticles in wet channel. Energy and Buildings, 169, 430-443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.03.086

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 30, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Apr 7, 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Deposit Date: Apr 17, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 8, 2019
• Journal: Energy and Buildings
• Print ISSN: 0378-7788
• Electronic ISSN: 1872-6178
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 169
• Pages: 430-443
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.03.086
• Keywords: Mechanical Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Civil and Structural Engineering; Building and Construction; Building Cooling; Evaporative Cooler; M-Cycle; HMX; Nanoparticles
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/784639
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778817327640?via%3Dihub
• Contract Date: Apr 18, 2018