New Programme
The Eurovent Certified Performance (ECP) programme scope for Evaporative Cooling (EC), applies to units that aim to cool the “air” for air-conditioning purposes. It does not include adiabatic coolers, which have an objective to reject heat to the ambient air using evaporative techniques i.e. for Cooling Towers. This programme is divided in three sub-programmes, as it applies to evaporative cooling units in the following groups:
Companies may apply to participate in any of the above certification sub-programmes. For the full programme scope and exclusions please view the Technical Certification Rules.
Evaporative cooling units are designed to use water evaporation to cool air. These systems do not use refrigerant or rely on a compressor, which makes them a sustainable and energy efficient choice. They are particularly effective in hot, dry regions. In fact, the drier the climate, the greater the cooling capacity. However, they can also be effective in humid climates in specialist applications. Evaporative cooling is typically used for air conditioning in buildings.
The EC programme focuses on three product types:
Direct Evaporative Cooling
DEC units are self-contained, including a fan and fan motor. Their primary function is the conversion of the sensible heat of unsaturated air, to latent heat. Unsaturated air passes into the cabinet, where it is directly exposed to moisture via a process of evaporating recirculating, or non-recirculating water using a wetted medium. As the air stream hits the evaporating water, the air is cooled.
Indirect Evaporative Cooling
IEC units use evaporation in one airstream to cool another airstream via a heat exchanger. This ensures no mixing of airstreams and does not add any humidity to the primary (supply) airstream. This type of cooling is classified under Case A and Case B.
Case A: Is an indirect evaporative cooler with integrated primary and secondary air passages. It is provided with both primary and secondary air-moving devices. Depending on product configuration, a single air-moving device may be used for primary and secondary air. This device also includes the entire water distribution, collection, and might also include recirculation system with pump and piping. This type may have provisions for installation of other heat and mass transfer devices, such as a direct evaporative cooler and auxiliary heating and cooling coils. These additional devices are not covered by this certification programme. Primary air is always drawn from outside. Some discharged primary air may or may not be used as secondary air (from ASHRAE 143:2015 packaged indirect evaporative cooler (packaged IECU) definition, pg3).
Case B: Is a packaged indirect evaporative cooling unit with integrated primary and secondary air passages, and provided with both primary and secondary air-moving devices. This device also includes the entire water distribution, collection, and recirculation system with pump and piping. This type may have provisions for installation of other heat and mass transfer devices, such as a direct evaporative cooler and auxiliary heating and cooling coils. These additional devices are not covered by this standard (definition from ANSI/ASHRAE standard 143-2015 page. 3 packaged indirect evaporative cooler).
Evaporative Cooling Equipment
Evaporative Cooling Equipment is the device/product ensuring the evaporative cooling in a host system.
The evaporative cooling equipment can be:
Water spray system
A water spray system is a device connected to the water supply through an automatically or manually actuated flow control cabinet, with or without pressurizing equipment (e.g. pump). Water is piped to specially designed nozzles that distribute water over a given area.
Wet pads/media
A wet media is a product made out of corrugated sheets of glass fibre paper, cellulose paper, or other material. The incoming air going through the media is in contact with a wet surface and thus enabling the water to evaporate, cool and humidify the supply air.
Ultrasonic unit
One or more piezoelectric transducers immersed in a reservoir of water. The transducer converts an electronic signal into a mechanical oscillation. The mechanical oscillation is directed at the surface of the water, where it creates a fine mist.
For Direct Evaporative Cooling
For Indirect Evaporative Cooling
For Evaporative Cooling Equipment
Find out how to apply for the Evaporative Cooling programme.