VerdampfungsKühlKälteverfahren

Verdampfungskühlung, also known as evaporative cooling, is a process that cools air through the evaporation of water. This method relies on the principle that when water evaporates, it absorbs heat from its surroundings. In a typical evaporative cooler, air is drawn across water-soaked pads or a wetted medium. As the water evaporates, it reduces the temperature of the air passing through. This cooled air is then circulated into a space, lowering its temperature and increasing its humidity.

The effectiveness of evaporative cooling is highly dependent on the ambient humidity. It works best in dry climates where there is ample capacity for water to evaporate. In humid environments, the air is already saturated with moisture, making it difficult for further evaporation to occur, thus significantly reducing the cooling effect. This type of cooling system is often considered more energy-efficient than traditional air conditioning systems that use refrigerants and compressors. They typically consume less electricity and do not release greenhouse gases.

Evaporative coolers are commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings, particularly in regions with arid or semi-arid climates. They can be direct, where the air is cooled and introduced directly into the space, or indirect, where a heat exchanger is used to cool the air without adding humidity. The technology is also utilized in various applications such as cooling towers in power plants and industrial processes, as well as in personal cooling devices. The simplicity of the system, involving only water and a fan, contributes to its low maintenance requirements.