Air cooler

Air cooler
ABSTRACT:
The domestic air coolers, which are cost effective, play a
positive role in providing human comfort during hot weather. However the
performance is dissatisfactory in the high humid regions. This project paves a
way to investigate the performance of air cooler integrated with phase change
material (PCM) by eliminating the problem of rise in humidity that usually
encountered in the conventional air cooler. The objective of the present
invention is to provide cooled air to maintain the room temperature according to
the requirement. This type of air cooler consists of heat exchanger, air duct and
variable speed fan. Before the use of the mobile air cooler, the PCM filled heat
exchanger tubes are kept in a domestic refrigerator for few hours depending on
the requirement. During this period the phase change material in the tubes are
get converted to solid and stores cold energy as latent heat of fusion. This is
known as cold energy charging process. The charged PCM filled heat exchanger
tubes are to be fitted to the heat exchanger whenever the customer needs to use
this “Air Cooler with Thermal Storage”. When “Air Cooler with Thermal
Storage” is switched on, the atmospheric air gets circulated by the fan passes
through the heat exchanger and finally air gets cooled by the Ice/phase change
material. During that time, The Ice/phase change material absorbs the heat
present in the air and changes its phase from solid to liquid. This process is
known as cold energy discharging process. This cooled air is focused to the area
where occupants are present and cooling can be achieved locally.

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CHAPTER1:
INTRODUCTION:
Evaporative coolers lower the
temperature of air using the principle of evaporative cooling, unlike typical air
conditioning systems which use vapor-compression refrigeration or absorption
refrigeration. Evaporative cooling is the conversion of liquid water into vapor
using the thermal energy in the air, resulting in a lower air temperature. The
energy needed to evaporate the water is taken from the air in the form
of sensible heat, which affects the temperature of the air, and converted
into latent heat, the energy present in the water vapor component of the air,
whilst the air remains at a constant enthalpy value. This conversion of sensible
heat to latent heat is known as an isenthalpic process because it occurs at a
constant enthalpy value. Evaporative cooling therefore causes a drop in the
temperature of air proportional to the sensible heat drop and an increase in
humidity proportional to the latent heat gain. Evaporative cooling can be
visualized using a psychrometric chart by finding the initial air condition and
moving along a line of constant enthalpy toward a state of higher humidity.

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CHAPTER2:
COMPONENTS:
1) Motor

2) Water Pump

3) Drain and Overflow Tube

4) Float Valve

5) Evaporative Pads

6) Distribution Tubing

6) Wire Connection Box

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Motor:
Evaporative cooler motors are relatively small in size, usually ranging from 1/3
to 1 horsepower. Most operate on 115/120 volts of power, which is the reason
they use relatively little electricity when compared to 240-volt central air
conditioning systems. The motors on evaporative coolers usually work fine until
they don't they don't gradually decline. If you are changing the motor in an
evaporative cooler, make sure you examine the current motor to see what size it
is and how many speeds it has. Changing the motor on a cooler is not a difficult
project, but it does require some basic electrical know-how to connect the wires.
Don't try this unless you are confident in those skills. 

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Water Pump:
The water pump in an evaporative cooler brings the water from the pan to the
distribution tubing, and from there onto the pads. The evaporation of water from
the pads is what allows the appliance to cool the air, so if the pads are not being
saturated with water, the pump may need to be replaced. If the pump is operating
correctly but does not keep the cooler pads wet enough, you may want to upsize
the pump to a larger one that can move more water.

Note: Hard water can quickly clog up a cooler pump, but some maintenance

products can help prevent or clean out the buildup of mineral deposits.

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Drain and Overflow Tube:

The drain is a hollow tube that is mounted in the bottom of the cooler pan. It can
be removed to drain the water out of the cooler pan, and it also acts as an
overflow to allow excess water to drain out if the float is allowing the pan to
fill too high. Excess water will go up and over the drain tube and spill onto the
ground, alerting you to the fact that there is a problem.

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Float Valve:
The float valve sits in the cooler pan and regulates the height of the water. It
works in much the same way as the float ball or float cup in a toilet tank. The
float valve rises and falls with the water level and its lever shuts off the water
supply when the water in the pan reaches the required level. The water level
must be high enough so that the pump can draw water up to the evaporative
pads, but not so high that the water flows into the overflow tube. Adjusting the
water to the right height is usually just a matter of manually bending the float rod
until the water shuts off at the proper level

A float valve that doesn’t turn the water off correctly is a common problem, but
it is a part that is easy to replace. You can replace a float valve in a few minutes
with parts that cost just a few dollars.

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Evaporative Pads:
The pads are where the air cooling occurs, as water delivered to the pads by the
water pump evaporates under the air blown through the pads by the cooler
motor. Pads for evaporative coolers come in many types, including foamed
polyester, slit expanded paper, and wood strips. The most common and cheapest
cooler pads are the ones made from wood strips. These pads work well, but if the
strips get loose, they can clog up the pump, so placing an extra screen around the
pump can be a good idea.

Evaporative pads also come in a variety of sizes, so take measurements of the

inside of the cooler panels when buying new pads. Cooler pads should be
changed each year, either when you winterize or de-winterize the cooler.

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Distribution Tubing:
The distribution tubing, commonly called the spider, distributes the water from
the pump to the cooler pads. The tubing can sometimes get clogged, and it may
require cleaning or even replacement if you're not getting enough water out of it.
It is a good idea to check the distribution tubing regularly, especially if the air
doesn’t seem cool enough.

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Wire Connection Box:

The wire connection box is where the main power supply comes into the cooler.
The incoming power supply is connected to a wire connection block, where
individual wire leads feed power to the blower motor, water pump, and any other
powered features in the cooler. 

There normally is not much repair needed at the wire connection box, except
possibly to check the wiring connections and tighten any loose ones. 

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CHAPTER3:
WORKING:
Air coolers are devices that use water to cool the air. Some homes
develop humidity, which air conditioners tend to reduce. However, other areas
are already dry and hot, and air conditioners can make matters worse. However,
air coolers do not reduce the humidity of the home, thus allowing the
homeowner to not only reduce the temperature but also increase the humidity.
Hot air touches the water and transfers heat to the water. Some of the water
evaporates and the cooled air blow into the home.

On-site Water:
Air coolers must have water on site as the coolant for the air cooler.
Homeowners might not always have access to on-site water, forcing them to
bring water to the site through pipes or other means, which can become
expensive in some areas

Vents: The
vent on the air cooler has a fan that blows the cooled air into the home. In many
cases, when the home has mild weather, the homeowner can set the air cooler to
vent-only, which turns the air cooler into simply a fan that directs air to the
occupants, cooling them. The vent option does not waste as much energy and
does not need a source of water to function.

Cooler Pads:
Air coolers have pads that absorb water and allow as much air as possible to
flow through them. These pads serve as the main medium for cooling the air
and thus cooling the home. These pads are made out of pliable aspen wood fiber
or special cellulose papers. Synthetic versions of the natural pads last longer but
do not hold as much water as the natural versions. They must resist mildew and
foul smells since water serves as an ideal breeding ground for mold.

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Distributor:
Water distribution features take water from the on-site source and continually
run the water over the pads so that they can remain saturated; otherwise, the
water will evaporate too soon. Pumps and motors power the flow of water into
the water distribution channels. The pumps must shut off automatically when
they do not have enough water to power the pump, or the pumps will overheat
and sustain damage. The motors are either axial or centrifugal. Some of these
motors need yearly lubrication while other motors have sealed bearings that
eliminate the need for yearly maintenance. Homeowners who want quiet air
coolers will need belt drive motors though direct drive motors have more
efficiency and do not break down as often.

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Advantages:

 reasonably inexpensive to run as only the fan and a small water pump use
power
 slightly cheaper setup costs (than a split system air conditioner)
 simple, compact installation
 ensures a constant supply of fresh, cooled air throughout your home
 filter pads trap some dust and pollen

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Disadvantages:

 does not perform well in humid climates or during rainy periods

 temperature control is limited
 basic air filter system only, many airborne irritants or odours missed
 not ideal for those with asthma or respiratory issues
 can use up to 25 litres of water* an hour depending on the fan speed and humidity
 possible risk of water leakage from ceiling outlets unless fitted with covers

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