Cooling of Air in Outdoor Areas of Human Habitation

This paper deals with the issue of air cooling in outdoor areas of human habitation. An analysis of air parameters during the summer season was carried out to determine the thermal comfort zone for a part of the northern platform of the local station in Rzeszow (Poland). The cooling capacity required for thermal comfort was calculated using outdoor air parameters and heat gains in the vicinity of the research object. Ten potential air-cooling systems were proposed for the outdoor zones. The systems differed in terms of cooling equipment, primary energy source, cooling medium, and recipients. They were divided into three categories: compressor, adsorption, and evaporative cooling. The electricity yield of the existing photovoltaic installation at the research facility was evaluated to identify potential synergies between the cooling demand and solar energy. An analysis assessed the energy, economic, and environmental impact of each proposed option. The best option for cooling the outdoor areas was found to be an evaporative cooling system with a PV system. Solar radiation can be effectively used for cooling outdoor zones in Poland in the summer. The optimal solution for the research facility is an evaporative cooling system based on direct evaporation combined with a photovoltaic system. The subject matter covered can be used as an effective tool for the optimal selection of outdoor air-cooling systems to ensure the thermal comfort of the occupants.