A novel evaporative cooling tower constructed from an inflatable fabric duct. (14th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duong, Steven; Craven, Robert; Garner, Steve; Idem, Stephen
• Is Part Of: Science and technology for the built environment. Volume 24:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 908
• Page End: 918
• Publication Date: 2018-09-14
• Subjects: Heating -- Periodicals; Ventilation -- Periodicals; Air conditioning -- Periodicals; Refrigeration and refrigerating machinery -- Periodicals; Indoor air quality -- Periodicals; Indoor air quality; Air conditioning; Heating; Refrigeration and refrigerating machinery; Ventilation; Periodicals; 697
• DOI: 10.1080/23744731.2018.1460146
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2374-474X

Abstract

Abstract : This paper describes a prototype of a novel vertical cooling tower constructed from an inflatable fabric duct that incorporated a water spray nozzle mounted at the top. The device was constructed using two concentric impermeable fabric tubes sealed at either end. It was inflated using a small pressurization fan located at the tower base. A numerical performance model was developed to estimate the downstream conditions of the evaporative cooling tower, and the length necessary for complete evaporation. To test the predictive capability the model of the evaporative cooling tower, experiments were performed under different ambient conditions. The prototype tower did exhibit downdraft cooling. However, the ambient conditions under which the validation measurements were performed were not conducive to achieving a moist air flow that could be measured accurately, and further investigation is recommended.