Simulation of passive down-draught evaporative cooling (PDEC) systems in EnergyPlus

This paper discusses the development of a new module in EnergyPlus that predicts the cooling performance of PDEC towers with sprays. It introduces an overview of PDEC towers and existing models. A simulation model is employed to design and evaluate PDEC towers, and its modelling algorithm in EnergyPlus is described. An analysis of the capability in different climates and the energy performance of PDEC towers has been performed by using the model implemented, and the main results from various case studies are presented. Overall, the model is capable of predicting air conditions as well as air flow rates from PDEC towers so that EnergyPlus can calculate appropriate indoor air conditions and thermal comfort in a zone.