Exergoeconomic analysis of a solar photovoltaic-based direct evaporative air-cooling system. (15th November 2019) - Kiyaninia, Alireza
Graphical abstract: Highlights: A direct evaporative air cooler system coupled to a photovoltaic panel was studied. The system was investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The exergoeconomic analysis of the system was performed. At optimal parameters, the system exergy efficiency up to 45% can be achieved. The introduced system was compared with conventional air-cooling systems. Abstract: The target of this work is to perform the exergoeconomic analysis of a solar photovoltaic-based direct evaporative air-cooling system. The system was investigated experimentally with different thicknesses of cellulose and straw pads. For inlet air rates up to 1000 m 3 /h, the maximum changes in the humidity and temperature of outlet air are achieved by a pad with a thickness of 30 cm. A comprehensive mathematical model was developed for the system and the exergoeconomic analysis of the system was carried out. The influence of the effective parameter on the performance of the system was investigated. For an inlet air with a temperature of 30 °C and relative humidity of 30%, the maximum system exergy efficiency was obtained about 20%. With changes in the water temperature from 15 to 27 °C, inlet air rate from 300 to 1500 m 3 /h, and inlet air temperature from 26 to 34 °C, the system exergoeconomic factor changes up to 60%. The current system was compared with a conventional system and results showed that for four early years of systems lifetime, the exergoeconomic factor of the conventional system is greater than the solar system due to its lower initial investment, and for later years is lower due to its larger operating cost.