Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

We offer solutions, not just products

Evaporative Cooling Basics

printer-friendly version

Coolerado's TECH INFO page contains more

information on evaporative cooling, including
informative videos that show how Coolerado
air conditioners work.

Summary
What is evaporative cooling?
What’s so great about evaporative cooling?
What kind of temperature reduction can I expect with evaporative cooling?
Where can I use evaporative cooling?
How much tonnage can I save using supplementary indirect/indirect evaporative cooling?
Appendix A: Psychrometric chart 101

Summary
Evaporative cooling has made summers more bearable for thousands of years and with 21st century technology provides effective,
economical, environmentally friendly, and healthy cooling. Evaporative cooling comes in five flavors: direct, indirect, indirect/direct,
indirect/indirect, and indirect/DX. Evaporative cooling works well in the Pacific Northwest, alone or as a supplement to a chiller or DX
system.

What is evaporative cooling?

Evaporative cooling is responsible for the chill you feel when a breeze strikes your skin—the air evaporates the water on your skin,
with your body heat providing the energy. The ancient Egyptians hung wet mats in their doors and windows, and wind blowing through
the mats cooled the air—-the first attempt at air conditioning. This basic idea was refined through the centuries: mechanical fans to
provide air movement in the 16th century, cooling towers with fans that blew water-cooled air inside factories in the early 19th century,
swamp coolers in the 20th century.

These simple examples illustrate direct evaporative cooling. Modern technology has dramatically increased the efficiency and
effectiveness of direct evaporative cooling and made possible four other types of evaporative cooling: indirect evaporative cooling,
indirect/direct evaporative cooling, indirect/indirect evaporative cooling, and indirect/DX evaporative cooling.

Direct evaporative cooling

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (1 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM

Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

With direct evaporative cooling, outside air is blown through a water-saturated medium (usually
cellulose) and cooled by evaporation. The cooled air is circulated by a blower.

Direct evaporative cooling adds moisture to the air stream until the air stream is close to
saturation. The dry bulb temperature* is reduced, while the wet bulb temperature** stays the
same.

*dry bulb: Sensible air temperature (as measured by a thermometer).

**wet bulb: The lowest air temperature achievable by evaporating water into the air to bring the air to saturation.

Indirect evaporative cooling

With indirect evaporative cooling, a secondary (scavenger) air stream is cooled by water.
The cooled secondary air stream goes through a heat exchanger, where it cools the
primary air stream. The cooled primary air stream is circulated by a blower.

Indirect evaporative cooling does not add moisture to the primary air stream. Both the dry
bulb and wet bulb temperatures are reduced.

During the heating season, an indirect system’s heat exchanger can preheat outside air if
exhaust air is used as the secondary air stream.

Indirect/direct evaporative cooling

With indirect/direct evaporative

cooling, the primary air stream
is cooled first with indirect
evaporative cooling and then
cooled further with direct
evaporative cooling.

Indirect/indirect evaporative cooling

In the first stage of indirect/indirect evaporative cooling, the primary air
stream is cooled by indirect evaporative cooling.

In the second stage, the water used in first-stage cooling passes through
the wet side of a coil. Additional sensible heat is removed from the primary
air stream, and no moisture is added to the primary air.

indirect evaporative cooling/DX

With indirect
evaporative cooling
with DX back-up, the
primary air stream is
cooled first with indirect
evaporative cooling.
Most of the time, this
cools the primary air
stream to the desired
temperature. When
more cooling is
required, the
supplemental DX module cools the air further to reach the desired temperature.

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (2 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM

Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

This unit is in beta release, and achievable energy savings are still being tested.

What’s so great about evaporative cooling?

Evaporative cooling is economical, effective, environmentally friendly, and healthy.

Economical
Evaporative cooling is economical because it:

■ Reduces DX/chilled water cooling requirements for fresh air.

■ Cuts mechanical cooling costs 25% to 65%.
■ Provides 100% make-up air cooling at half the cost of mechanical equipment cooling.
■ Increases existing equipment cooling capacities without adding mechanical cooling.
■ Increases compressor life.
■ Increases heat exchanger life.

Effective

■ Evaporative cooling actually becomes more effective as the temperature increases—just when DX air conditioning becomes
less effective.
■ Evaporative cooling works in all areas of the country, not just in hot, dry climates. Although the Pacific Northwest is certainly
damp in winter, it is dry in summer. In fact, humidity in this region of the country almost always decreases proportionally as the
temperature increases. So the cooling power of evaporative systems increases as the temperature increases.

Environmentally friendly
Because evaporative cooling does not use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), it does not contribute to ozone depletion.

Healthy
Evaporative cooling is healthy and comfortable because it:

■ Brings in outside air and exhausts stale air, smoke, odors, and germs.
■ Helps maintain natural humidity levels, which benefits both people and furniture and cuts static electricity.
■ Does not need an air-tight structure for maximum efficiency, so building occupants can open doors and windows.

What kind of temperature reductions can I expect with evaporative cooling?

The greater the difference between the wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures, the greater the achievable temperature reduction. Here’s
how to calculate temperature reductions achievable with direct, indirect, indirect/direct, and indirect/indirect evaporative cooling. These
examples use a starting dry bulb (DB) temperature of 86 degrees F and wet bulb (WB) temperature of 66 degrees F.

Temperature reduction achievable using direct evaporative cooling

NOTE
With direct evaporative cooling, the dry bulb temperature is reduced while the web bulb temperature remains the same.

1. Temp drop achievable = (dry bulb - wet bulb ) x (efficiency* of the media)
Example: (86 degrees - 66 degrees) x .9 = 18 degrees

2. Achievable temp = dry bulb - temp drop achievable

Example: 86 degrees - 18 degrees = 68 degrees DB/66 degrees WB**

3. Starting DB: 86 degrees

Ending DB: 68 degrees

*Efficiency is usually 90%

**Because cooling is achieved by adding moisture to the supply air stream, the new dry bulb/web
bulb temperatures are found on the wet bulb gradient.

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (3 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM

Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

Refer to Appendix A for more information on using psychrometric charts to calculate temperature reduction using evaporative cooling.

Temperature reduction achievable using indirect evaporative cooling

NOTE
With indirect evaporative cooling, both the dry bulb and web bulb temperatures are reduced.

1. Temp drop achievable = (dry bulb – wet bulb) x (efficiency* of indirect module)
Example: (86 degrees - 66 degrees) x .7 = 14 degrees

2. Achievable temp = dry bulb – temp drop achievable

Example: 86 degrees – 14 degrees = 72 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB**

3. Starting DB: 86 degrees

Ending DB: 72 degrees

*Efficiency is usually 60%-70%

**Because no moisture is added to the supply air stream, the new dry bulb/wet bulb temperatures are
found on the dry bulb gradient.

Temperature reduction achievable using indirect/direct evaporative cooling

First calculate the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures achievable with indirect evaporative cooling:

1. Temp drop achievable = (dry bulb - wet bulb ) x (efficiency of indirect module)
Example: (86 degrees - 66 degrees) x .7 = 14 degrees

2. Achievable temp = dry bulb - temp drop achievable

Example: 86 degrees - 14 degrees = 72 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB

3. Starting DB: 86 degrees

Ending DB: 72 degrees

Then use the dry bulb/wet bulb values from step 3 to calculate the dry bulb/wet bulb temperatures achievable with direct evaporative
cooling:

4. Temp drop achievable: (dry bulb - wet bulb ) x (efficiency of the media)
Example: (72 degrees - 61.4 degrees) x .9 = 9.5 degrees

5. Achievable temp = dry bulb - temp drop achievable

Example: 72 degrees - 9.5 degrees = 62.5 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB

6. Total temperature reduction using indirect/direct evaporative cooling:

Starting DB: 86 degrees
Ending DB: 62.5 degrees

Temperature reduction achievable using indirect/indirect evaporative

cooling
First calculate the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures achievable with the first
stage of indirect evaporative cooling:

1. Temp drop achievable = (dry bulb - wet bulb ) x (efficiency of indirect module)
Example: (86 degrees - 66 degrees) x .7 = 14 degrees

2. Achievable temp = dry bulb - temp drop achievable

Example: 86 degrees - 14 degrees = 72 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB

3. Starting DB: 86 degrees

Ending DB: 72 degrees

Then use the dry bulb/wet bulb values from step 3 to calculate the dry bulb/wet bulb temperatures achievable with the second stage of

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (4 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM

Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

indirect evaporative cooling, assuming 50% effectiveness:

4. Temp drop achievable: (dry bulb - wet bulb ) x (efficiency of the media )
Example: (72 degrees - 61.4 degrees) x .5 = 5.3 degrees

5. Achievable temp = dry bulb - temp drop achievable

Example: 72 degrees - 5.3 degrees = 66.7 degrees DB/59.5 degrees WB

6. Total temperature reduction using indirect/indirect evaporative cooling:

Starting DB: 86 degrees
Ending DB: 66.7 degrees

Where can I use evaporative cooling?

In many locations and for many applications, evaporative cooling is all the cooling required to maintain a comfortable indoor
environment. In hotter areas or where cooling loads are high, such as in office buildings, one of the most useful applications for
indirect/indirect evaporative cooling is supplementing a chiller or DX system. By cooling the air stream before it reaches the cooling
coil, an indirect/indirect evaporative unit extends chiller life, cuts energy costs, and provides the boost the chiller needs to function
effectively on hot days.

You can add an indirect/indirect evaporative cooling unit to an existing system or design a new cooling system that incorporates the
indirect/indirect unit with the chiller or a standard roof-top DX system.

How much tonnage can I save using supplementary indirect/indirect evaporative

cooling?
Example conditions

■ Required outside air volume: 10,000 CFM

■ Required refrigeration tonnage to meet building cooling load: 25 tons

Formula
Tons saved = [1.08][1% Design Delta T][efficiency][CFM]/12,000

Examples
Oregon
Portland: [1.08][86-66][.90][10,000]/12,000 = 16.2 tons saved
Bend: [1.08][89-61][.90][10,000]/12,000 = 22.7 tons saved
Medford: [1.08][95-66][.90][10,000]/12,000 = 23.49 tons saved

Washington
Seattle: [1.08][81-64][.90][10,000]/12,000 = 13.8 tons saved
Spokane: [1.08][89-61][.90][10,000]/12,000 = 22.7 tons saved
WallaWalla: 1.08[[[95-65][.90][10,000]/12,000 = 24.3 tons saved

Idaho
Boise: [1.08][94-63][.90][10,000]/12,000 = 25.11 tons saved
Idaho Falls: [1.08][89-60][.90][10,000]/12,000 = 23.49 tons saved
Pocatello: [1.08][90-60][.90][10,000]/12,000 = 24.3 tons saved

See calculations for additional Northwest cities.

Approximate costs for indirect, indirect/direct, and indirect/indirect evaporative modules

■ Indirect evaporative module: $1.95 to $2.30 per CFM

■ Indirect/direct evaporative module: $3.25 to $3.50 per CFM
■ Indirect/indirect evaporative module: $4.00 to $5.00 per CFM

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (5 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM

Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

Appendix A
Psychrometric Chart 101
Psychrometry is the study of moist air and the changes in its conditions. The psychrometric chart graphically represents the
relationship between air temperature and moisture content and is a basic design tool for mechanical engineers and designers.

You can represent psychrometric processes (that is, any changes in the condition of the atmosphere) on the psychrometric chart.
Common processes include:

■ Sensible cooling/sensible heating

■ Cooling and dehumidification/heating and humidification
■ Humidification/dehumidification
■ Evaporative cooling/chemical dehydration

Figure 1 shows a basic psychrometric chart.

Figure 1 Psychrometric chart

The following sections explain using a psychrometric chart to calculate how much you can reduce dry bulb temperature using direct,
indirect, indirect/direct, and indirect/indirect evaporative cooling.

Using a psychrometric chart to calculate the dry bulb temperature possible with direct evaporative cooling

NOTE
With direct evaporative cooling, the dry bulb temperature is reduced while the web bulb temperature remains constant.

1. Start with the dry bulb (DB) and wet bulb (WB) design conditions for the location you are interested in. For example, Portland’s
1% design conditions are 86 degrees DB/66 degrees WB F.

2. Find where 86 degrees on the dry bulb line intersects with 66 degrees on the wet bulb line (see Figure 2). That is the starting
point.

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (6 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM

Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

Figure 2 Starting point

3. Calculate the temperature drop achievable using the following formulas. Figure 3 graphically represents the process.

Temperature drop achievable = (dry bulb - wet bulb) x (efficiency of the media)
Example: (86 degrees - 66 degrees) x .9 = 18 degrees

Achievable temperature = dry bulb - temp drop achievable

Example: 86 degrees - 18 degrees = 68 degrees DB

Because cooling is achieved by adding moisture to the supply air stream, the new dry bulb/wet bulb temperatures are found on
the wet bulb gradient.

Figure 3 Direct evaporative cooling

4. Starting temperatures: 86 degrees DB/66 degrees WB

Ending temperatures: 68 degrees DB/66 degrees WB

Using a psychrometric chart to calculate the dry bulb temperature possible with indirect evaporative cooling

NOTE
With indirect evaporative cooling, both the dry bulb and web bulb temperatures are reduced.

1. Start with the dry bulb (DB) and wet bulb (WB) design conditions for the location you are interested in. For example, Portland’s
1% design conditions are 86 degrees DB/66 degrees WB F.

2. Find where 86 degrees on the dry bulb line intersects with 66 degrees on the wet bulb line (see Figure 2 in the previous
section). That is the starting point.

3. The efficiency of the indirect module determines the percentage of the possible temperature drop you can achieve with indirect
evaporative cooling. Efficiency of the indirect module is usually 60% to 70%.

Calculate the new dry bulb temperature using the following formulas. Figure 4 graphically represents the process.

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (7 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM

Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

Temp drop achievable = (dry bulb – wet bulb) x (efficiency of indirect module)
Example: (86 degrees - 66 degrees) x .7 = 14 degrees

Achievable temperature = dry bulb – temp drop

Example: 86 degrees – 14 degrees = 72 degrees DB

Because no moisture is added to the supply air stream, the new dry bulb/web bulb temperatures are found on the dry bulb
gradient.

Figure 4 Indirect evaporative cooling: new dry bulb temperature

4. Indirect evaporative cooling decreases the wet bulb temperature as well as the dry bulb temperature. Figure 5 shows how to
use the psychrometric chart to calculate the new wet bulb temperature.

Because no moisture is added to the supply air strean, the new dry bulb/wet bulb temperatures are found on the dry bulb
gradient.

Figure 5 Indirect evaporative cooling: new wet bulb temperature

5. Starting temperatures: 86 degrees DB/66 degrees WB

Ending temperatures: 72 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB

Using a psychrometric chart to calculate the dry bulb temperature possible with indirect/direct evaporative cooling

First calculate the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures achievable with indirect evaporative cooling:

1. With starting temperatures of 86 degrees DB/ 66 degrees WB, the achievable temperature using indirect evaporative cooling is
72 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB (refer to the previous section).

Then use the dry bulb/wet bulb values from step 1 to calculate the dry bulb/wet bulb temperatures achievable with direct evaporative
cooling:

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (8 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM

Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

2. After being reduced by indirect evaporative cooling, the new starting point is 72/61.4.

3. From the new starting point, use the following formulas to calculate the temperature drop achievable with direct evaporative
cooling. Figure 6 illustrates the process.

Temp drop achievable: (dry bulb - wet bulb) x (efficiency of the media)
Example: (72 degrees - 61.4 degrees) x .9 = 9.5 degrees

Achievable temp = dry bulb - temp drop achievable

Example: 72 degrees - 9.5 degrees = 62.5 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB

Figure 6 Indirect/direct evaporative cooling temperature drop achievable

4. Starting termperatures: 86 degrees DB/66 degrees WB

Ending temperatures: 62.5 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB

Using a psychrometric chart to calculate the dry bulb temperature possible with indirect/indirect evaporative cooling

First calculate the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures achievable with the first stage of indirect evaporative cooling:

1. With starting temperatures of 86 degrees DB/ 66 degrees WB, the achievable temperature using indirect evaporative cooling is
72 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB (refer to the section on indirect evaporative cooling). Efficiency of 70% is used for the first
indirect stage.

Then use the new dry bulb/wet bulb values from step 1 to calculate the dry bulb/wet bulb temperatures achievable with the second
stage of indirect evaporative cooling:

2. After being reduced by indirect evaporative cooling, the new starting point is 72 degrees DB/61.4 degrees WB.

3. From the new starting point, use the following formulas to calculate the temperature drop achievable with the second-stage of
indirect evaporative cooling. Efficiency of 50% is used for the second indirect stage. Figure 7 illustrates the process.

Temp drop achievable: (dry bulb - wet bulb) x (efficiency of the media)
Example: (72 degrees - 61.4 degrees) x .5 = 5.3 degrees

Achievable temp = dry bulb - temp drop achievable

Example: 72 degrees - 5.3 degrees = 66.7 degrees DB/59.5 degrees WB

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (9 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM

Wescor evaporative cooling white paper

Figure 7 Indirect/indirect evaporative cooling temperature drop achievable

Starting temperatures: 86 degrees DB/66 degrees WB

Ending temperatures: 66.7 degrees DB/59.5 degrees WB

http://www.wescorhvac.com/Evaporative%20cooling%20white%20paper.htm (10 of 10)28/04/2009 3:55:47 PM