Why isn’t evaporative cooling technology utilized on devices that generate heat? “Swamp coolers” seem like they could be utilized in many different ways, but they aren’t. Their applications certainly vary depending on climate; but if we make some assumptions for the sake of science it would seem they have a clear benefit almost everywhere. Take a generic swamp cooler, just wet material and air flow. (none of that fancy bong or evap cooler, this is just indirect style) For our hypothesis assume we are in an air conditioned building, say it’s 74 degrees; something comfortable. We are in a reasonably nontropic environment. Maybe our air conditioned air is at 30-40% humidity. We have a refrigerator running and its kicking off exhaust MUCH warmer than 74 degrees, and given our air is conditioned our humidity is relatively low, so we have say, 100 degree air at 30-40% humidity. By directing that warmish, dryish exhaust through a very simple swamp cooler, couldn’t we effectively reduce the exhaust temperature through the phase change? Wouldn’t this simultaneously increase the humidity of the air, allowing the air conditioner to work even more effectively? This slightly cooled, moist air would at least feel much better. I understand that for most industrial applications the reason this isn’t used is simple; the heat generating units are roof mounted so the components never affect the inside air. It seems so clear that it would be effective; why don’t we see these products more often in homes? Why is evaporative cooling not built into modern appliances? Maybe there is something key I am missing?
Submitted September 29, 2015 at 01:55AM by curiosityconnoisseur http://ift.tt/1Lhw9O0 AskScienceDiscussion
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