Simulation study on hybrid mist based indirect evaporative cooling and mechanical vapor compression system for future sustainability

The study aims to evaluate hybrid mist based indirect evaporative cooling (MIEC) and mechanical vapor compression (MVC) system for future sustainability in air-conditioning applications. In this regard, a dedicated simulation model for the proposed hybrid system is developed and executed using engineering equation solver. Performance of the hybrid MIEC + MVC system is evaluated under various outdoor air temperatures (TOA) and humidity (ωOA) conditions. Key performance parameters including temperature drop (ΔTMIEC+MVC), cooling load handled (∅MIEC) by MIEC, and energy saving potential (ΔCOP) via proposed hybrid system are evaluated. Water consumption via MIEC and condensate collected via MVC system is computed for evaluating applicability of the proposed hybrid system in arid or water stressed regions. Additionally, coefficient of performance (COP) for standalone MIEC and MVC systems is evaluated and compared. As per results, the proposed system observed ΔTMIEC+MVC of 25 °C at TOA = 50 °C. Likewise, the maximum ∅MIEC (MIEC as a pre-cooler) is observed of 88 %. In contrast, the COP for standalone MVC system is observed of 3.40 i.e., ∼5.3 % less compared to proposed hybrid system at TOA = 50 °C and ωOA of 10 g/kg. Consequently, the ΔCOP by the hybrid system is computed as 81 % as compared to standalone MVC. At higher ωOA of 15 g/kg, the hybrid system can compensate ∼ 74 % of water consumption by MIEC which shows its applicability in regions facing water scarcity.