Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Numerical Study and Optimization of a Combined Thermoelectric Assisted Indirect Evaporative Cooling System

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper numerically investigates the performance of a novel combined cross-regenerative cross flow (C-RC) thermoelectric assisted indirect evaporative cooling (TIEC) system. This C-RC TIEC system combines the indirect evaporative cooling and thermoelectric cooling technologies. A heat and mass transfer model is developed to perform the performance analysis and optimization of this novel system. Performance comparison between the novel C-RC TIEC system and a regenerative cross flow TIEC system is conducted under various operating conditions. It is found that the novel system provides better performance with higher coefficient of performance (COP) and higher dew point effectiveness than the regenerative cross flow TIEC system, especially under smaller working current and smaller number of thermoelectric cooling modules. The performance optimization of the novel system is also made by investigating the influences of primary air parameters, three different mass flow rate ratios, as well as the length ratio of the left wet channel to the whole wet channel. The results show that there exist optimal mass flow rate ratios and wet channel length ratio resulting in the maximum COP.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shahzad M.K., Chaudhary G.Q., Ali M., Sheikh N.A., Khalil M.S., Rashid T.U., Experimental evaluation of a solid desiccant system integrated with cross flow Maisotsenko cycle evaporative cooler. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2018, 128: 1476–1487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Suryan A., Lee J.K., Kim D.S., Kim H.D., Numerical Simulation of Duct Flow with Fog Droplet. Journal of Thermal Science, 2010, 19(6): 533–539.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Senthilkumar K., Srinivasan P.S.S., Application of Taguchi Method for the Optimization of System Parameters of Centrifugal Evaporative Air Cooler. Journal of Thermal Science, 2010, 19(5): 473–179.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Kim H., Ham S., Yooh D., Jeong J., Cooling performance measurement of two cross-flow indirect evaporative coolers in general and regenerative operation modes. Applied Energy, 2017, 195: 268–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Riangvilaikul B., Kumar S., An experimental study of a novel dew point evaporative cooling system. Energy and Buildings, 2010, 42: 637–644.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Jafarian H., Sayyaadi H., Torabi F., A numerical model for a dew-point counter-flow indirect evaporative cooler using a modified boundary condition and considering effects of entrance regions. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2017, 84: 36–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Duan Z., Zhan C., Zhao X., et al., Experimental study of a counter-flow regenerative evaporative cooler. Building and Environment, 2016, 104: 47–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Mahmood M.H., Sultan M., Miyazaki T., et al., Overview of the Maisotsenko cycle e a way towards dew point evaporative cooling. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016, 66(C): 537–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Anisimov S., Pandelidis D., Theoretical study of the basic cycles for indirect evaporative air cooling. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2015, 84: 974–989.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Anisimov S., Pandelidis D., Jedlikowski A., Polushkin V., Performance investigation of a M (Maisotsenko)-cycle cross-flow heat exchanger used for indirect evaporative cooling. Energy, 2014, 76: 593–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Cui X., Chua K., Yang W., Numerical simulation of a novel energy-efficient dew-point evaporative air cooler. Applied Energy, 2014, 136: 979–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Fakhrabadi F., Kowsary F., Optimal design of a regenerative heat and mass exchanger for indirect evaporative cooling. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2016, 102: 1384–1394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Lee J., Lee D.Y., Experimental study of a counter flow regenerative evaporative cooler with finned channels. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2013, 65: 173–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Pandelidis D., Anisimov S., Rajski K., et al., Performance comparison of the advanced indirect evaporative air coolers. Energy, 2017, 135: 138–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Moshari S., Heidarinejad G., Fathipour A., Numerical investigation of wet-bulb effectiveness and water consumption in one-and two-stage indirect evaporative coolers. Energy Conversion and Management, 2016, 108: 309–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Xu P., Ma X., Zhao X., Fancey K., Experimental investigation of a super performance dew point air cooler. Applied Energy, 2017, 203: 761–777.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Rafique M.M., Rehman S., Alhems L.M., Shakir M.A., A liquid desiccant enhanced two stage evaporative cooling system development and performance evaluation of a test rig. Energies, 2018, 11(1): 72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Fakhrabadi F., Kowsary F., Optimal design of a hybrid liquid desiccant-regenerative evaporative air conditioner. Energy and Buildings, 2016, 133: 141–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Comino F., Ruiz de Adana M., Peci F., Energy saving potential of a hybrid HVAC system with a desiccant wheel activated at low temperatures and an indirect evaporative cooler in handling air in buildings with high latent loads. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2018, 131: 412–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Liu Z.B., Zhang L., Gong G.C., Experimental evaluation of a solar thermoelectric cooled ceiling combined with displacement ventilation system. Energy Conversion and Management, 2014, 87: 559–565.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Irshad K., Habib K., Thirumalaiswamy N., et al., Performance analysis of a thermoelectric air duct system for energy-efficient buildings. Energy, 2015, 91(3): 1009–1017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhou Y., Zhang T., Wang F., Yu Y., Performance analysis of a novel thermoelectric assisted indirect evaporative cooling system. Energy, 2018, 162: 299–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Zhou Y., Yu J., Design optimization of thermoelectric cooling systems for applications in eletronic devices. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2012, 35(4): 1139–1144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Liu Z., Allen W., Modera M., Simplified thermal modeling of indirect evaporative heat exchangers. HVAC&R Research, 2013, 19(3): 257–67.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lim H., Cheon S.Y., Jeong J.W., Empirical analysis for the heat exchange effectiveness of a thermoelectric liquid cooling and heating unit. Energies, 2018, 11(3): 580.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Anisimov S., Pandelidis D., Danielewicz J., Numerical study and optimization of the combined indirect evaporative air cooler for air-conditioning systems. Energy, 2015, 80(2): 452–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Lemmon E.W., McLinden M.O., Huber M.L.,Reference fluid thermodynamic and transport properties (REFPROP). NIST Standard Reference Database 23, Version 9.0, 2010.

Download references

Acknowledgement

The work is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51706099). The authors would like to express sincere thanks for the sponsorship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China

    Yuanyuan Zhou, Tao Zhang, Fang Wang & Yanshun Yu

Authors
  1. Yuanyuan Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yanshun Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuanyuan Zhou.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhou, Y., Zhang, T., Wang, F. et al. Numerical Study and Optimization of a Combined Thermoelectric Assisted Indirect Evaporative Cooling System. J. Therm. Sci. 29, 1345–1354 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-020-1362-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-020-1362-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation