Experimental and numerical evaluation of the cooling capacity of an earth air heat exchanger and direct evaporative cooling system with different materials and configurations over time

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Boultif N., Rouag A., Boutera Y., ARICI M., Hachani A., Moummi N.

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10973-025-14687-7
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Index Islamicus, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Arid climates, Direct evaporative cooling, Earth air heat exchanger, Local materials, Palm fibres, Sustainable cooling
  • Kocaeli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The present paper examines the effectiveness of two cooling systems, namely, direct evaporative cooler (DEC) and earth air heat exchanger (EAHE). Two separate models for DEC and EAHE were developed considering their special features. Both systems were analysed individually as well as combined as a hybrid system (EAHE + DEC) over time. An experimental setup of DEC system was realised to test the cooling effectiveness of three local materials (palm fibres, loofah, and eucalyptus). The two models were validated, and a high degree of agreement was observed between them and the experimental data. Results showed that palm fibres are the most efficient material among the locally studied materials, exhibiting a thermal efficiency of 70% across the various studied mass flow rates (0.236, 0.334, and 0.41 kg s-1). Additionally, it was effective in reducing temperature by 9 °C. Earth air heat exchanger can effectively decrease air temperature to 29 °C but is limited in its ability to sufficiently elevate air humidity for achieving thermal comfort. For that, a case study of a hybrid system (combining EAHE and DEC systems) is presented to demonstrate their synergistic potential in the region of Biskra. The findings showed that the hybrid EAHE + DEC can provide thermal comfort in terms of temperature and humidity and reach 6 kW of cooling capacity.