Evaporative refrigeration is a physical process in which molecules on a liquid surface vaporize and absorb heat, achieving a cooling effect by lowering the ambient temperature. It is commonly found in natural phenomena and industrial applications. This process is influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, liquid contact area, and airflow velocity, and is divided into two types: direct evaporative cooling and indirect evaporative cooling.
Direct evaporative cooling achieves isenthalpic cooling through direct contact between air and water, making it suitable for environments with good air quality. Indirect evaporative cooling uses non-contact heat exchangers to transfer cooling capacity, preventing contaminants from entering enclosed spaces, and can save 80%-90% of energy in dry areas. Surface morphology control can improve cooling efficiency, and positively skewed surface design can suppress droplet splashing.
A novel dynamic liquid supply technology achieves a heat transfer coefficient 12 times that of pool boiling by real-time adjustment of the liquid supply rate to match the evaporation rate. In 2025, the research team developed an evaporative cooling technology based on 3D porous fiber membranes. Also in 2025, related companies applied for patents for composite evaporative cooling systems and compressor direct-drive cooling devices.