Comparison of operation characteristics of a new spray cooling system based on PV/T and heat recovery in sow houses in five climate regions of China.

• A new spray cooling system is proposed based on PV/T and heat recovery in sow houses. • A simulation model is developed to dimension the new system. • The maximum error is less than 7.2% for the key equipment models in the new system. • The optimal operating ranges of new system are determined in five climate regions. • The operating control suggestions of new system are obtained in five climate regions. In this paper, a new spray cooling system (NSCS) is proposed based on PV/T and heat recovery in sow houses. It contributes to improving system applicability in high-humidity areas and reducing system energy consumption due to solar dehumidification and heat recovery. Meanwhile, the simulation model of NSCS is established and the reliability is verified for the models of its key equipment. The results show that the maximum error is less than 7.2% for the models. The optimal control parameter ranges are further determined for NSCS in five climate regions in China through simulation. The results show that in hot-summer and warm-winter (HSWW) region or hot-summer and cold-winter (HSCW) region, the optimal operating ranges are 40–45 kW and 7245–9245 kg/h for spray power and mass flow rate of circulating water, respectively. However, they are 25–30 kW and 13245–15245 kg/h in other three climate regions, respectively. Finally, the annual performance parameters are compared for NSCS in five typical cities. The regional applicability and operating control suggestions are further obtained for NSCS in five climate regions. The results show that the heat recovery coefficient and energy efficiency ratio are the maximum when NSCS is operated in HSWW and HSCW regions. In high-temperature and arid regions, removing desiccant wheel from NSCS may be a good method to reduce system investment and energy consumption. Meanwhile, the surplus electric and thermal energy can be used for regional energy utilization in NSCS. The above conclusions can determine the regional applicability of NSCS and guide its operating control in different climate regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]