Investigation of Evaporative Cooling Pad Material from Hyphaene Thebaica Fibers
Alio Sanda M. Djibrilla *
WASCAL Doctorate Research Program-Climate Change and Energy, Faculty of Science and Technique, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger and Department of Research and Development, DRAMS, Niamey, Niger.
Atto H. Abdoulkader
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technique, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger.
Karimoun M. Illyassou
WASCAL Doctorate Research Program-Climate Change and Energy, Faculty of Science and Technique, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger.
Drame Yaye Aissetou
Department of Agriculture Engineering and Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger and Enterprise in Research and Development, Sahel Agro, Niamey, Niger.
Adamou Rabani
WASCAL Doctorate Research Program-Climate Change and Energy, Faculty of Science and Technique, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger and Enterprise in Research and Development, Sahel Agro, Niamey, Niger.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Evaporative coolers are technologies highly used as a source of thermal comfort in terms of fresh air provider in areas where weather conditions are harsh and people living standard goes from medium to low earnings. This technology being environmentally friendly still requires a certain minimum maintenance, mostly the change of pads. This paper presents the performance of a cost-effective cooling pad made from the fibers of hyphanene thebaica (wood wool) as an alternative pad to the commercial ones rendering this technology more accessible and affordable for all social classes. The experiment was done in an insulated duct whereby thermodynamic parameters of locally made pad such as temperature, pressure, relative humidity and velocity, were recorded, and effect of physical properties on performances were analyzed. Compared to the commercial pad, the proposed local pad presented the lowest minimum outlet dry bulb temperature (20.00oC), a saturation efficiency of 78.80% with the highest cooling capacity of 0.1867 kW, the highest heat transfer coefficient of 7.3497 kW/m2 oC, the best cost-to-efficiency ratio (CER) and coefficient of performance (COP). By studying and improving the pads thermophysical characteristics, performance could be improved opening ways towards industrial production of such pads for a sustainable development.
Keywords: Direct evaporative cooling, desert air conditioners, cellulosic pad materials, cost-effective cooling, sub-Saharan area.