Design, construction and performance evaluation of cotton fabric layer materials in micro-capillary absorptive evaporative cooling

Abstract

Global warming and climate change are environmental issues and they can drive the necessity for efficient cooling materials in energy-efficient cold storage. A sustainable alkali-treated cotton fabric layers used as evaporative cooling system that could assist the local farmers store and extend their produce with minimal energy use. The study aims to develop an efficient evaporative cooling system using alkali-treated cotton fabric layers used as a noble cooling material. From the analytical measurements, the maximum airflow temperature drops and wet bulb depression were 3.4 and 8.95 in the day in January 2022, 2.85 and 7.35 in the day in March 2022, and 1.05 and 6.4 in the day in December 2021 mid-day operations. While maximum cooling efficiency fell in the range of 53.97 %, 53.00 %, and 23.08 % at about 0.44 m/s airflow velocities, respectively in January 2022, March 2022, and December 2021 mid-day test operations. The corresponding cooling capacities of the three mid-days’ operations in January 2022, March 2022, and December 2021 also calculated, and the results were 44.84 w, 13.85 w, and 37.57 w. The results show the direct proportional relationship between airflow velocities and cooling performance in the developed capillary absorptive evaporative cooling. Further research into different fabric layer geometric configurations and airflow dehumidifier composite adsorbed bed layer is necessary to improve cold air production and excel energy efficiency. • The performance evaluation of cotton fabric layer materials in the developed capillary absorptive evaporative cooling unit was investigated. • This lab scale cold air production process reflects greater efficiency and scalability. • The horizontal in-plane duct tunnel scaffolds the cotton layer materials was used as the adiabatic/insulation of the system unit with the environment which boosts the water transport and evaporation on the surface of fabric materials. • The overall results displayed as there was a directly proportional relationship between airflow velocities and cooling performance in the developed capillary absorptive evaporative cooling.