Theoretical Performance Analysis Of Coconut Coir As Media In Evaporative Coolers

Abstract Coconut coir is an agricultural waste that is produced in reasonable quantities in some developing countries of the world like Nigeria. This waste is used in some evaporative cooling systems as cooling media. This paper therefore attempts to analyze the performance of coconut coir pad as a media in direct evaporative coolers. In this study the average condition of 39.9 0C dry bulb temperature and 8.1 relative humidity of Kano is selected for the analysis. The primary air mass flow rate considered varies between 0.16 kgs to 0.54kgs and the performance of the coconut coir pad is analyzed based on the saturation efficiency leaving air temperature relative humidity cooling capacity and water consumption. The results of the analysis of the coconut coir based on the air flow rates considered reveal that the saturation efficiency decreases from 64.7 to 55.9 the leaving air temperature increases from 25.20C to 27.10C relative humidity decreases from 46.4 to 38.2 the cooling capacity increases from 8230kJh to 24055.kJh and the water consumption increases from 3.57kgh to 9.72kgh. These results show that the coconut coir pad performed better at lower air mass flow rates where lower leaving air temperature and relatively higher relative humidities are obtained.