09. Heat and Mass Transfer

Nearly 90% of an individual's time is spent indoors, highlighting the importance of thermal comfort. According to ASHRAE standards, optimal thermal comfort is achieved within a temperature range of 22.5°C to 26°C and a relative humidity (RH) of 45% to 65%. This study investigates the application of fined heat pipes with water as the working fluid, coupled with cooling pads made from natural fibers, in an indirect evaporative cooling system. The fibers tested include coconut fiber, pineapple fiber, and CELdek fiber. The research focuses on how varying the circulation water temperature affects the evaporation rate and the cooling system's efficiency in reducing inlet air temperature and RH. By integrating different cooling pads, water temperatures, and finned heat pipes, the study aims to achieve optimal performance in line with thermal comfort standards. Key performance metrics such as cooling capacity, Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), wet bulb efficiency, and dew point efficiency are analyzed. Experiments were conducted at air temperatures of 30, 35, and 40°C with RH levels between 40% and 65%. The findings indicate that the cooling system's effectiveness is enhanced when using pineapple fiber cooling pads. The results show a maximum temperature reduction of 9°C, a cooling capacity of 150 watts. This research provides valuable insights into the relationship between experimental variables and the performance of indirect evaporative cooling systems, contributing to improved cooling efficiency in indoor environments.