Analytical modelling of an indirect evaporative cooler based on the Maisotsenko cycle for HVAC applications

Highly-efficient evaporative cooling systems can significantly reduce the energy use in buildings, thereby contributing to meet Europe’s climate commitments, including building decarbonisation by 2050. The Maisotsenko Cycle is an indirect, multi-stage type of evaporative cooling which can be used in different air-conditioning applications. The main objective of this study is to develop an analytical model of an indirect evaporative cooler based on the Maisotsenko cycle for HVAC applications. The conservation equations governing the heat and mass transfer processes occurring in the indirect evaporative cooler were solved by means of numerical methods, and the results provided by the model were validated using experimental data reported in the literature (differences lower than 2%). Finally, a parametric study was conducted where the influence of various operational and environmental variables on the system's performance were numerically analysed.