An evaporative air cooler, also known as a water-cooled air conditioner or wet curtain cooler, uses the principle of heat absorption through water evaporation to lower air temperature. Unlike traditional compressor-based air conditioners, it does not use chemical refrigerants such as Freon. Instead, it achieves cooling through physical means, making it considered an environmentally friendly and energy-saving cooling solution.
Core Working Principle of an Evaporative Air Cooler
The basic principle of an evaporative air cooler is "water evaporation absorbs heat." When water changes from liquid to gas (water vapor), it absorbs a large amount of heat. This process is called phase change absorption.
It typically works as follows:
- Intake of hot external air: The fan inside the evaporative air cooler draws hot external air into the unit.
- Passing through the wet curtain: The incoming air passes through a moist, porous medium, the wet curtain (usually made of special fibers or paper).
- Water evaporation absorption: The water on the wet curtain rapidly evaporates under the influence of the moving air. During this process, the water absorbs a large amount of heat from the air, causing the air temperature to drop.
- Cooling Air: Cooled air is blown out through a fan, cooling the room or a specific area.
This process is similar to how sweating cools the body. Evaporative sweat removes heat from the body's surface, lowering body temperature. Evaporative air coolers utilize this natural phenomenon.
Advantages of Evaporative Air Coolers
- Energy Saving: They don't use compressors or chemical refrigerants, resulting in significantly lower energy consumption than traditional air conditioners and are environmentally friendly.
- Humidification: While cooling, air passing through the cooling pad increases humidity, which is particularly beneficial in dry environments.
- Ventilation: While operating, the unit continuously draws in outdoor air and removes contaminated indoor air, achieving ventilation and improving air quality.
- Low Cost: Both the initial cost and ongoing operating costs are relatively low, and maintenance is simple.
- Suitable Applications: Due to their operating principle, evaporative air coolers perform best in dry, well-ventilated climates, such as northern and northwestern China. It is widely used in places that require large or local cooling, such as factory workshops, shopping malls, gymnasiums, outdoor activities, and homes. However, in humid areas, due to the high humidity in the air, the water evaporation efficiency will be greatly reduced, and the cooling effect will also be affected.
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