A novel combined Wind catcher Psychro-Energy Core indirect evaporative cooling System

This paper presents results of an experiment conducted to investigate the performance of a newly developed air cooling system comprising a Psychometric Energy Core (PEC), cooling unit assisted wind catcher technology. A laboratory unit of the combined system was designed and constructed using a wind catcher and a PEC unit. The purpose of the wind catcher is to assist air flow in and out of the PEC unit. This is achieved using a double concentric hallow ducting system; an outer large circular duct for fresh air supply and a smaller central duct to allow exhaust air from the PEC to exit the system. A series of tests were conducted using a wind tunnel, in order to assess the performance of the system under varying wind speed and ambient temperature. Results of the tests show that, the system has a potential of operation passively without a support of a fan under certain wind speeds. A fan would be required at very low wind speed to overcome the pressure drop through the PEC core channels.