Experimental investigation of the performance of the split type air conditioner with evaporatively cooled condenser

Considering that approximately 35% of the energy consumption in Turkey is consumed in buildings and about 70-90% of this energy is used for heating and cooling purposes, it is very important to focus on the innovations that will provide energy efficiency in split type air-conditioning systems. In this context, the performance of the air conditioning system which has an evaporatively cooling condenser has been examined in this study. In the study, two different systems, which both operate with vapor compression (mechanical) refrigeration cycle principles and both have 2,5 kW cooling capacity, were compared. One of the systems was operated with a conventional air-cooled condenser while the other one was operated with an evaporative cooled condenser. Thus the performance of the systems was analysed by a systematic approach. By comparing the cooling capacities, electricity consumptions and coefficients of performance (COPs) of the systems, the effect of evaporative cooling of the condenser on the energy efficiency and the impact ratios were determined. When the studies performed on the subject were investigated, it was seen that many of them were for high capacity systems and conclusions were made with regional data. The performance of the split type air conditioning system with an inverter controlled compressor was analysed for the refrigerant R410A. This study is the first to investigate the performance of a split type air conditioning system with evaporative cooled condenser at climatic conditions of Antalya, which is located in the typical Mediterranean climate zone. With the evaporative cooling of the condenser of the split type air conditioner, the COP increased by 47.08%, and the compressor electricity consumption decreased by 18.15%. The increasing and decreasing rates have changed depending on the humidity and temperature of the outdoor environment.