Theory 83/Energy Limits/Cooling systems
Evaporative Cooling Has a Limit
The claim
Evaporative cooling cannot go below the wet-bulb temperature, and the approach to that limit sets the size and cost of the system.
01Mechanism
The driving force is the wet-bulb depression; as the approach narrows, the exchanger area required rises steeply.
02Prediction
Cost should rise sharply as approach narrows.
03Refutation
Cost independent of approach would remove the limit.