Solar powered evaporative cooler using locally available materials such as galvanized iron, thin wooden strips, car radiator fan and submersible water pump of low power types was designed and constructed. Performance of this system was experimentally investigated while cooling a room space of approximately a volume of 43.5m3. This solar evaporative cooler was compared with 1.5hp air-condition (AC) system using six different configurations and encouraging results in terms of temperature reduction ranging from 4.6 ̊C-7.6 ̊C; relative humidity ranging from 24.0%-54.9% and cooling effectiveness ranging from 35.4%-97.3%were found. In this work humidity and temperature control unit was integrated to control water supply there by regulating the humidity level of the room space while cooling. Energy consumption of this air cooler for 6hrs was 0.054kWh while that of AC is 6.75kWh. This technology is cheaper and can efficiently improve indoor air quality and it is suitable for residential application especially for villages, schools and offices where there is a power outage problem or no grid extension.
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Materials
2.2 Methods
2.3 Design/Sizing of the evaporative air cooler
2.3.1 Air delivery or air displacement (V1)
2.3.2 Heat load calculations
2.3.3 Water tank volume determination
2.3.4 Design for cover joint
2.3.5 Design for fasteners (bolts and nuts)
2.4 Components Selections
2.4.1 Selection of suction fan
2.4.2 Selection of water recirculation pump
2.4.3 Selection of pipes (water channels)
2.4.4 Selection of cooling pad
2.5 Selection of solar power supply system
2.5.1 Determination of energy requirement
2.5.2 Module sizing
2.5.3 Charge controller sizing
2.6 System Construction Procedures and Testing
2.6.1 Construction of air cooler
2.6.2 Construction of water grills (khas)
2.6.3 Installation of water pump and fan
2.6.4 Installation of indicator lights and power buttons
2.6.5 Wiring
2.7 System Cost of Constructions Analysis
2.8 Performance Evaluation Procedures
3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.0 CONCLUSIONS
Research Objectives and Topics
This study aims to design, construct, and evaluate the performance of a solar-powered evaporative air cooler using locally available materials to provide an energy-efficient cooling alternative in regions facing power instability.
- Design of a cost-effective, solar-powered cooling system using local materials.
- Evaluation of system cooling efficiency under various configurations.
- Comparative analysis of power consumption between the cooler and conventional air conditioning.
- Integration of automated humidity and temperature control units.
- Performance assessment in different indoor and outdoor environmental conditions.
Excerpt from the Book
Design/Sizing of the evaporative air cooler
A rectangular type evaporative air cooler shown in figure 2.1a was designed and constructed in accordance with Gorle et al., (2016) to cool a room space of 4.75m x 3.16m floor area and a height of 2.90m that is approximately a volume of 43.5m3. The dimension of this cooler is 0.40m x 0.40m x 0.70m (l x b x h) with a diameter of 0.30mcentrally located in the front side for suction fan installation and three equal rectangular openings of 0.40m height x 0.30m width in the other three (3) sides for water grills (khas) installations as shown in figure 2.1a above. Here, only cover joint type was employed (no welding) in order to reduce cost. The size of this cooler is as designed below.
This system is an enclosed system and air is allowed to pass only through the pads (water grills) and a suction fan is centrally located which draws in hot dry air through the grills as shown in figure 2.2c. Water drips into each of the pads through sprinklers at a constant rate of 22.22 x 10-6m3/s while the suction fan draws warm air through the wetted pads, lower the temperature of the air and then blown into the room space. This processes involved the conversion of sensible heat to latent heat causing a decrease in ambient temperature as water evaporation provides useful cooling.
Chapter Summaries
1.0 INTRODUCTION: This chapter highlights the reliance on energy-intensive conventional cooling systems and introduces the need for an alternative, solar-powered evaporative cooling solution.
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS: This section details the material selection, design calculations for heat load and components, and the construction steps for the cooler, including the solar power supply and testing configurations.
3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This chapter presents the experimental findings regarding temperature drops, cooling efficiency, and power consumption across various operational configurations compared to conventional AC systems.
4.0 CONCLUSIONS: The final chapter summarizes the project's success in creating an affordable, environmentally friendly cooling system that performs effectively with minimal energy requirements.
Keywords
Solar powered, Evaporative cooler, Performance evaluation, Energy consumption, HVAC, Renewable energy, Cooling efficiency, Humidity control, Sustainable technology, Solar photovoltaic, Thermal comfort, Local materials, Heat load, Power stability, Environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the design, construction, and performance evaluation of an affordable, solar-powered evaporative air cooler constructed from locally available materials to address cooling needs in areas with limited grid power.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The main themes include energy efficiency, renewable energy application (solar PV), thermal comfort engineering, materials science for local fabrication, and cost-benefit analysis compared to standard air conditioning.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The objective is to replace energy-intensive mechanical compressor-based air conditioning with a solar-powered evaporative system to reduce electrical energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The study employs experimental performance testing under six different system configurations (including indoor and outdoor setups with varying ventilation) and compares the resulting temperature and humidity data against conventional AC systems.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the theoretical design calculations, component selection (fan, pump, solar panel), construction procedures, cost analysis, and experimental performance results.
Which keywords define this research?
Key terms include solar-powered, evaporative cooler, performance evaluation, energy consumption, HVAC, thermal comfort, and sustainable cooling technology.
How is the water supply controlled in this system?
The system uses a flexible DTH11 humidity and temperature sensor/controller that automatically regulates the pump to maintain an optimal comfort zone, preventing excess humidity.
Why are the indoor system configurations considered more advantageous?
Indoor configurations are more advantageous because they facilitate easier water replenishment and demonstrate lower water consumption due to reduced vapor escape.
How does the cost of the solar air cooler compare to conventional AC?
The solar air cooler is significantly more economical, requiring minimal energy (9W), which allows for operation using small solar panels, thus avoiding high electricity costs and grid reliance.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Ishaka Shuaibu (Autor:in), 2018, Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of a Solar Powered Evaporative Air Cooler, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/491211
