Evaporative cooling is a process that allows to cool the air using

the evaporation of water. Here are the steps to size a cooling system by
evaporation, accompanied by the associated formulas:

1. Calculation of thermal load:

oDetermine the thermal load (heat to be dissipated) of the space to be cooled.
This can include sensible heat (due to air temperature) and heat
latent (due to humidity).
oFormula: Thermal load (kW) = Air flow (m³/s) × Difference of
temperature (°C) × Specific heat of air (kJ/kg·°C)
2. Calculation of air flow:
oEstimate the air flow rate required to cool the space.
o Formula: Air flow (m³/s) = Thermal load (kW) / (Difference in
temperature (°C) × Specific heat of air (kJ/kg·°C)
3. Choice of the evaporation medium:
oSelect an evaporation material (for example, wet panels)
based on the water absorption capacity and the exchange surface.
oFormula: No specific formula here, but make sure the material
can absorb enough water to cool the air.
4. Calculation of the exchange surface:
oDetermine the exchange surface (surface of the wet panels) needed
to cool the air.
oFormule : Surface d’échange (m²) = Débit d’air (m³/s) / Vitesse de l’air (m/s)
5. Calculation of air speed:
oChoose an appropriate air speed for cooling by
evaporation.
oFormule : Vitesse de l’air (m/s) = Débit d’air (m³/s) / Surface d’échange (m²)
6. Sizing of the water pump:
oSelect a suitable water pump to provide the necessary water for
evaporation.
oFormula: No specific formula here, but make sure that the pump can
provide the required water flow.
7. Calculation of system efficiency:
oEvaluate the effectiveness of the evaporative cooling system.
oFormula: Efficiency (%) = (Thermal load without cooling - Load
thermal with cooling) / thermal load without cooling ×
100
The sizing of an evaporative cooling system involves several
key components, including the size of the water tank, the surface area of the porous buffer,
fan capacity and pump power. Here are the steps and associated formulas:

1. Determination of the required cooling capacity:

This depends on the size of the room to be cooled and the level of cooling.
desired. The general formula is: Required cooling capacity (in
BTU/h) = Room volume (in cubic feet) × Temperature change
desired (in degrees Fahrenheit) × 0.133.
2. Calculation of the amount of water needed:
The amount of water required depends on the cooling capacity and the
operating duration. The formula is: Amount of water needed (in
gallons) = Required cooling capacity (in BTU/h) / (8.33 × Variation
water temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit).
3. Sizing of the water tank:
The tank must be large enough to hold the amount of water.
necessary. It can be calculated based on the amount of water needed and the
safety factor. For example: Tank volume (in gallons) = Quantity
water needed (in gallons) × (1 + safety factor).
4. Calculation of the surface area of the porous buffer:
The surface of the porous pad determines the evaporation capacity and thus the
cooling capacity of the system. The formula is: Buffer surface
poreux (en pieds carrés) = Quantité d'eau évaporée par unité de temps (en
gallons per hour) / (Specific evaporation rate (in gallons per hour per
square foot)
5. Determination of the fan capacity:
The fan capacity must be sufficient to ensure an airflow.
adequate through the porous pad. The formula is: Required air flow (in
cubic feet per minute) = Volume of the room (in cubic feet) × Number of
air changes per hour / 60. (The number of air changes per hour
depends on the level of insulation and the ventilation needs of the room.
6. Pump sizing:
The pump must be able to provide an adequate water flow to the reservoir.
porous. The formula is: Pump flow rate (in gallons per hour) = Surface of
porous pad (in square feet) × Thickness of the porous pad (in inches) ×
Distribution factor × Water flow rate (in inches per hour).

These formulas provide a basis for sizing the key components of a system.
evaporative cooling. However, adjustments and considerations
supplements may be required depending on the specifics of each system and
environmental conditions.
Sizing of a cooling system
by evaporation
Step 1: Determine the thermal load

Calculate the heat dissipation power (Q) taking into account the sources
from heat (solar gains, electrical equipment, occupants, etc.).
Use the formula: Q = UA(T1 - T2)
oU : overall thermal transmittance coefficient (W/m².K)
oA: surface of the space to be cooled (m²)
oT1 : température intérieure souhaitée (°C)
oT2 : température extérieure (°C)

Step 2: Choose the type of system

for dry and hot climates

Indirect: for humid climates or for specific applications

Step 3: Size the components

1. Humid average:

Media surface (A): A = Q / (ρ * hfg * ε * η)

o ρ : density of water (kg/m³)
ohfg: latent heat of vaporization of water (kJ/kg)
oe: media efficiency (approximately 0.8)
oη: system efficiency (approximately 0.6)

2. Water tank:

Volume of the tank (V): V = E * t

oE : evaporation rate (m³/h)
o t: operating time (h)

3. Fan:

Air flow rate (Qv): Qv = A * V

oV: air velocity through the medium (m/s)

4. Pump:

Pump power (P): P = Qv * ρ * Δh / ηp

o Δh: pressure loss in the circuit (m)
oηp : pump efficiency
Step 4: Choose the accessories

Water filtration system

Control and regulation system
Air distribution ducts

Useful formulas:

Overall heat transfer coefficient (U): U = 1 / (1/h1 + d/λ + 1/h2)

oh1: internal convection coefficient (W/m².K)
od: thickness of the medium (m)
othermal conductivity of the medium (W/m.K)
oh2: external convection coefficient (W/m².K)
Taux d'évaporation (E) : E = ρ * Qv / (hfg * ε * η)

Remarks:

The sizing of an evaporative cooling system is

complex and requires taking into account many factors.
It is important to call on a professional for sizing.
precise and an optimal installation.

Impact of the thermal balance on the characteristics of a cooling system by

evaporation

The thermal balance plays a crucial role in the design and operation of a system.
de refroidissement par évaporation. Il permet de déterminer les caractéristiques principales du
system, such as cooling capacity, component size, and power consumption
of energy.

Cooling capacity:

The cooling capacity of an evaporation system is directly related to the

amount of heat that water can absorb while evaporating.
The higher the thermal balance, the greater the cooling capacity must be.
important.
This involves an increase in the surface area of the wet medium, the air flow rate and the
pump power.

2. Size of components:

The size of the system components, such as the wet media, the water tank and the
fan, depends on the required cooling capacity.
A higher thermal balance requires larger components.
3. Energy consumption:

The energy consumption of a system by evaporation is related to its operation.

the fan and the pump.
The higher the thermal balance, the greater the energy consumption will be.

4. Factors influencing the thermal balance:

Heat sources: solar inputs, electrical equipment, occupants, etc.

Building insulation: better insulation helps reduce the thermal balance.
Temperature and outdoor humidity: the system is more efficient in climates
dry and hot.

5. Consequences of a poorly assessed thermal balance:

Insufficient cooling capacity: the system will not be able to

maintain the desired temperature.
Oversizing of the system: larger initial investment and
excessive energy consumption.

Conclusion:

The thermal balance is a crucial element for sizing and optimizing a

evaporative cooling system. An accurate assessment ensures a
optimal performance and minimal energy consumption.

Evaporative cooling is a process that uses the evaporation of water to

cool the air. This system is particularly suited to dry and hot climates, as it
consumes little energy and humidifies the air.

To size an evaporative cooling system, the following steps must be followed

following:

1. Determine the air flow rate necessary to cool the space to be air-conditioned. The air flow rate
is measured in cubic meters per hour (m3/h) and depends on the volume of the space,
number of people, heat sources, and the desired level of comfort. A
The general rule is to provide an air flow equal to 30 times the volume of the space.
time.
2. Choose the type of evaporative cooler according to the mode of operation and the
efficiency. There are two main types of evaporative coolers: the
direct coolers and indirect coolers. Direct coolers make
pass the outside air through a wet pad, which lowers its temperature and
increases its humidity. Indirect coolers use a heat exchanger
to cool the air without humidifying it. Direct coolers are simpler and
cheaper, but they have lower efficiency and can make the air too
 humid. Indirect coolers have a higher efficiency and maintain a
lower humidity rates, but they are more complex and more expensive.
3. Calculate the cooling capacity of the evaporative cooler. The power
Refrigeration is measured in watts (W) and corresponds to the amount of heat that the
The cooler can extract air. The cooling power depends on the air flow,
the temperature and humidity of the outside air and indoor air. For a
direct cooler, the cooling power is calculated using the following formula:

P=Q×ρ×cp×(Te−Ts)

Where:

P is the cooling power in W

What is the air flow rate in m3/h
ρ is the density of air in kg/m3
cp is the specific heat capacity of air in J/kg.K
This is the outdoor air temperature in °C
Ts is the indoor air temperature in °C

For an indirect cooler, the cooling power is calculated using the following formula:

P = Q × ρ × cp × (Te − Ts) × η

Where:

η is the efficiency coefficient of the heat exchanger, ranging from 0 to 1

4. Select the evaporative cooler model that corresponds to the power

calculated refrigeration. It is also necessary to check that the cooler has a
sufficient water reservoir, a control and regulation system, and a system of
air distribution suitable for the space to be air-conditioned.
5. Install the evaporative cooler according to the manufacturer's recommendations. It
must ensure compliance with safety standards, to ensure good ventilation of
the space, to connect the cooler to a water and electricity source, and to carry out
the necessary settings.
Here are the main steps to size an air conditioning system
by evaporation:

1. Determine the thermal loads of the building to be air-conditioned:

Conduction charges through the walls (Qc)

Charges due to ventilation (Qv)

Internal charges due to occupants, equipment, lighting (Qi)

The total load Q = Qc + Qv + Qi (in kW)

2. Calculate the required air flow rate:

Determine the desired temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet
from the evaporator (ΔT in °C)

The air flow rate V = Q / (ρ x Cp x ΔT) (in m3/s) with ρ = mass

volumique de l'air (kg/m3) Cp = chaleur massique de l'air (kJ/kg.K)

3. Calculate the required exchange surface area of the evaporator:

From the convective exchange coefficient h (W/m2.K)

The surface S = Q / h (in m2)

4. Determine the water flow rate necessary for evaporation:

Based on the vaporization enthalpy r (kJ/kg)

The mass flow rate m = Q / r (kg/s)

5. Size the equipment (fans, pumps, cooling towers)

cooling) and the distribution network based on the flow rates
calculated.

6. Check that the cooling power produced is sufficient to compensate

the thermal load with a safety margin.
The steps are interrelated: the thermal load determines the flow rate.
of air then the exchange surface and the water flow rates. The flow rates allow for
dimension the equipment.