Coolers (PA Technology)

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Last modified by Axel Heinemann on 2014-11-08. This is a wiki so please feel free to update information by clicking on "Edit with form". | Printable version

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Name of technology example:		Type
Coolers		☐ Energy Efficiency ☑ Renewable Energy ☐ Alternative Methodology

Description	An evaporative cooler (also swamp cooler, desert cooler and wet air cooler) is a device that cools air through the evaporation of water. Evaporative cooling differs from typical air conditioning systems which use vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycles. Evaporative cooling works by employing water's large enthalpy of vaporization. The temperature of dry air can be dropped significantly through the phase transition of liquid water to water vapor (evaporation), which can cool air using much less energy than refrigeration. In extremely dry climates, evaporative cooling of air has the added benefit of conditioning the air with more moisture for the comfort of building occupants. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporative_cooler Much of the post-harvest loss of fruits and vegetables in developing countries is due to the lack of proper storage facilities. While refrigerated cool stores are the best method of preserving fruits and vegetables they are expensive to buy and run. Consequently, in developing countries there is an interest in simple low-cost alternatives, many of which depend on evaporative cooling which is simple and does not require any external power supply. The basic principle relies on cooling by evaporation. When water vaporates it draws energy from its surroundings which produces a considerable cooling effect. Evaporative cooling occurs when air, that is not too humid, passes over a wet surface; the faster the rate of evaporation the greater the cooling. The efficiency of an evaporative cooler depends on the humidity of the surrounding air. Very dry air can absorb a lot of moisture so greater cooling occurs. In the extreme case of air that is totally saturated with water, no evaporation can take place and no cooling occurs. Generally, an evaporative cooler is made of a porous material that is fed with water. Hot dry air is drawn over the material. The water evaporates into the air raising its humidity and at the same time reducing the temperature of the air. There are many different styles of evaporative coolers. The design will depend on the materials available and the users requirements. Some examples of evaporative cooling designs are described below. (Source: https://practicalaction.org/evaporative-cooling-1)
Technology for the Application of	☐ Solar ☐ Biomass ☐ Biofuel ☐ Biogas ☐ Wind ☐ Geo-Thermal ☐ Hydro ☐ Energy Efficiency ☑ Other: Evaporation of water
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps	☐ Mechanization ☐ Efficiency of Operation ☐ Processing ☐ Transportation ☐ Controlled Atmosphere ☐ Controlled Temperature ☐ Mechanical Sorting ☐ Preservation ☐ Other: /
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities	☐ Grinding ☐ Hauling and conveying ☐ Sorting ☐ Seedbed Preparation ☐ Milling ☐ Tearing ☐ Planting ☐ Washing ☐ Mixing ☐ Pumping ☐ Heating ☐ Drying ☐ Irrigation ☑ Cooling ☐ Animal feeding ☐ Fertilizing ☐ Venting ☐ Animal health and Welfare ☐ Pest Management ☐ Lighting ☐ Packing and branding ☐ Cutting ☐ Sanitation ☐ Other: /
Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups	☐ Cereals ☐ Fruits and vegetables ☐ Nuts and berries ☐ Forage ☐ Dairy products ☐ Meat products ☐ Oil Seeds ☐ Roots and Tubers ☐ Eggs ☐ Pulses ☐ Fiber Crops ☐ Forestry ☐ Sugars ☐ Stimulants ☐ Spices ☐ Other: /
Region & Country of Development	Worldwide ☑ Africa ☑ South Asia ☑ East Asia & The Pacific ☑ Europe & Central Asia ☑ Latin America & The Caribbean ☑ Middle East & North Africa ☑ North America ☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of Current Deployment	Worldwide ☑ Africa ☑ South Asia ☑ East Asia & The Pacific ☑ Europe & Central Asia ☑ Latin America & The Caribbean ☑ Middle East & North Africa ☑ North America ☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of Potential Deployment	Worldwide ☑ Africa ☑ South Asia ☑ East Asia & The Pacific ☑ Europe & Central Asia ☑ Latin America & The Caribbean ☑ Middle East & North Africa ☑ North America ☐ N/A: /
Manufacturers
Economics	Low cost coolig with physical limits;
Technology Development Level	Widespread use but the evaporative cooling did not tap its potential yet;
Required Maintenance Technical Level	Low: Technology to be maintained through its life cycle requires less common tools and/or training is required for maintenance;
Required Infrastructure for Deployment	Low: Technology can be developed with less common tools, low development level supporting technologies and moderately trained personnel;
Required Resources during manufacture	Metals, plastics;
Required Resources during operation	Water, cooling pads (cardboard, plastics, aluminum or natural fibre materials);
Deployment Level	Worldwide use;
Deployment Capability and Potential	The technology can be widely deployed limited only by education;
Requirements for Deployment	Know-how and technology transfer as well as trainings;
Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security	Independent: Fully autonomous and self-supporting, when water is availble;
Environment Impacts (emissions)	Zero: no direct or indirect emissions;
Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules	Yes;
Additional information / Comments	No comments.
Internal Reference
Additional Links	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporative_cooler https://practicalaction.org/clay-evaporative-cooler-performance-research https://practicalaction.org/evaporative-cooling-1 https://practicalaction.org/refrigeration-in-developing-countries-1

"Renewable Energy," is not in the list (Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Alternative Methodology) of allowed values for the "PAT Type" property.