Refrigeration in open spaces by means of evaporative systems

The design of sustainable cities in locations with adverseclimates should consider different ways to mitigatethe heat in open spaces, especially during the summerperiods. One of the passive strategies to improve the thermal conditions of places with warm and dry climate is the use of evaporative systems. The Europeanproject ECO-Valle Mediterranean Verandahways was created with this aim, looking for the conditioning of open spaces by means of natural techniques and the reduction of CO2 emissions. For it, a bioclimatic boulevardhas been designed in the New Urban Expansion of Vallecas (Madrid), composed by three cylinders or "Air Trees" with different designs. One of them is surroundedby "wind towers" capable of reducing the temperatureby evaporative cooling.In order to characterize the energetic behaviour of one Air Tree, two procedures are being carried out: a theoreticalmodel of the wind towers and the experimental evaluation of the complete system. The model describes the thermal behaviour of the air in the wind tower, where evaporative systems are placed. On the other hand, severalvariables such as global solar radiation, relative humidity,temperatures, direction and wind speed will be measured around and inside the Air Tree to quantify the temperature reduction and air flow produced by the wind towers.