Enhanced Evaporative Cooling Performance Using Desiccant Systems and Indigenous Mud Pipe Design

This study explores and compares the performance of advanced desiccant air-conditioning systems and a newly developed mud pipe-integrated indirect evaporative cooler. A numerical analysis was conducted on three indirect evaporative cooling designs: two Maisotsenko cycle-based heat and mass exchangers (cross-flow and regenerative counter-flow) and a conventional cross-flow cooler. The prototype systems demonstrated significantly improved energy efficiency and lower power consumption compared to existing commercial models. Under standard testing conditions (37.8°C dry bulb and 21.1°C wet bulb), one system achieved a wet-bulb effectiveness of 114%, a dew-point effectiveness of 75%, and a high Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 52.5 at an optimal air ratio of 0.364. These results highlight the potential of the Maisotsenko cycle to enhance evaporative cooling performance, especially in low-humidity environments.In addition, an experimental evaluation of a newly designed air cooler incorporating a mud pipe-based indirect cooling mechanism showed promising results. This cooler effectively reduced air temperature more quickly than conventional models and maintained it over longer periods. The system operates on an indirect cooling principle where the air passes through a mud pipe embedded in a sand and cow dung insulation setup before reaching the evaporative unit. Despite operating at higher initial ambient temperatures, the developed cooler showed a 40% improvement in overall cooling efficiency when compared to standard air coolers. It also maintained lower humidity and achieved target temperatures more rapidly. This design proves to be a viable, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient solution, particularly suitable for small-scale applications in hot and dry regions.