Direct Evaporative Cooling lowers air temperature by passing it through a wetted media where water evaporates, absorbing sensible heat and raising humidity. It is simple and energy-efficient but adds moisture to the supply airstream, requiring humidity limits and water treatment. In data centers it is used in air-side economizer systems and adiabatic pre-cooling, often boosting free-cooling hours in hot, dry climates.
Category: Cooling & Environmental Control · Subcategory: Air Cooling · Part of the AIDC Technical Terminology reference.