15 - Low Energy Cooling Techniques
15 - Low Energy Cooling Techniques
15 - Low Energy Cooling Techniques
Earth Air Tubes (EAT) are low technology, sustainable passive cooling-heating systems utilized mostly
heat-storing capacity of earth.
Air is either cooled or heated by circulating underground in horizontally buried pipes at a specified depth.
Around the year, soil temperature at a depth four meter below surface remains almost constant.
Temperature values remain usually in the comfort level range (15-27 °C).
EAT Air
( Low Temperature)
Heat Exchange
Building
Centralized AC Unit
Collection Manhole
Earth Air Tubes (EAT)
EAT system can be used both cooling and heating during the summer and winter respectively. The
tunnels would be especially useful for large buildings with ample surrounding ground.
The EAT system can not be cost effective for small individual residential buildings.
EAT can be used in a vast variety of buildings:
Commercial Buildings:
Offices, showrooms, cinema halls etc.
Large scale housing
University Campuses
Hospitals
Effectiveness of an EAT system
Surface area of Pipe: Higher surface area increase the rate of heat transfer
Contact Time of air flow: Higher the contact time higher the total heat transfer
Tube Material: High value of thermal conductivity increase the rate of heat transfer
𝑇𝑖 − 𝑇𝑜
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑇𝑖 − 𝑇𝑠
𝑄
𝐶𝑂𝑃 =
𝑊
Find:
(i) Coefficient of Performance of the EAT System
(ii) Velocity of air inside the tube
(iii)Efficiency of EAT System
(iv) Daily saving of energy
Solution:
Volume of the hall: (25X15X4) = 1500 m3
Total air exchange rate = (6X1500)/3600 = 2.5 m3 /sec Six air exchange per hour
Flow Rate in EAT System = 1.25m3 /sec 50% air is used from EAT System
v = Flow Velocity of air inside the tube = (q/A) = 1.25/ 0.07068 = 17.68 m/ses
𝑇𝑖 − 𝑇𝑜
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑇𝑖 − 𝑇𝑠
38 − 33 5
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = = = 0.45
38 − 27 11
Temperature drop for outdoor air = 38-25 = 13°C
Temperature drop for EAT air = (38-5) -25 = 8°C
Per day saving in energy = ( Saving in cooling) – ( extra work done by EAT System, i.e. Fan & Pump)
= (325-262.5) – (6X8) = 62.5 -48 = 14.5 Kw-hr
Radiant Cooling Concept
Radiant cooling systems consist of coils embedded within the structure. These coils carry chilled water
generated through conventional chiller systems. Chilled water in the coils cools down the slab or panels
which in turn act as heat sinks for sensible heat loads of internal spaces.
Concrete slab
house chilled
water coils Descending cool air from ceiling
Mathematical Modelling of the Radiant Cooling
(Q . T ). η = H
Numerical Problem on Radiant Cooling
The following data are obtained from a building having Radiant Cooling System:
Diameter of Cooling pipe = 75mm
Flow velocity in cooling pipe = 0.3 m/sec
Inlet water temperature = 12°C
Outlet water temperature = 22°C
Room dimension: 25m X 10m X 4m
Initial room temperature = 40°C
Time to reach steady state = 10 min
Efficiency of the system = 50%
Work done for the cooling = 45 KW
Find:
(i) Final Room Temperature
(ii) Coefficient of Performance
Solution:
𝜋 2
Area of Pipe = A = × 0.075 = 0.0044𝑚2
4
H = VR . Sair (tinitial – tfinal ) = 1000 X 1250 X (40 – t) = 1250000 (40-t) J= 1250 (40-t) Kj
Equating:
(Q . T ). η = H 𝑄
𝐶𝑂𝑃 =
𝑊
55.5 X 600 X 0.5 = 1250 (40-t)
Coefficient of Performance = 55.5/45 = 1.23
Solving: t = 26.68 °C