Summer Energy Saving In Indoor Environments Using A New Free-Cooling System

Abstract

This paper analyses a new indirect evaporative cooling

system characterized by low energy demand for use in

summer conditions. The process is carried out by means

of a membrane contactor (MC) equipped with a

hydrophobic membrane that is permeable to vapour but

not to the liquid phase. Chilled water feeds a radiant

ceiling panel in order to reduce the mean radiant and

indoor air temperatures in the environment served and,

consequently, the energy required by a heat pump

working to achieve comfortable conditions. The energy

needed by this system is compared with the one required

by the heat pump alone to get the comfortable conditions.

The results yielded by a SIMULINK program in different

summer climatic conditions, in the Mediterranean area,

show energy savings of 30 ÷ 60 %.