Evaporative cooling pad and air treatment unit

Abstract

An evaporative cooling mat (1) comprising: a stack of evaporative cooling panels (2a, 2b, 2c) forming an evaporative cooling medium pack (3), characterized in that the panels (2a, 2b, 2c) are composed of a sheet material and joined to each other at joining points (4, 5) on their abutting surfaces, wherein at least one junction (4) between two adjoining panel surfaces (2a ', 2b' ') is displaced relative to at least one junction (5) between the following two adjoining evaporative panel surfaces (2b', 2c ''), and an air handling unit (20) comprising said evaporative cooling mat (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an evaporative cooling pad and an air handling unit comprising the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] Air handling units, such as evaporative air coolers and humidifiers, can be used to humidify and cool different types of spaces within a building. Evaporative air handling units are devices that cool or humidify air by evaporating a liquid cooling medium, typically water. They are an energy-efficient alternative to traditional air conditioning systems, which use refrigerant chemicals to cool air. Evaporative air coolers are commonly used in places where air conditioning is impractical or cost-prohibitive, such as dry climates, outdoor spaces, or areas with frequent power outages. They are also considered environmentally friendly because they have lower energy consumption than conventional air conditioning units and do not use harmful chemicals. Evaporative air coolers and humidifiers typically comprise a cooling pad in the form of a stack of corrugated evaporative cooling panels, with the corrugations forming passageways through the pad. US5143658 discloses one example of a typical evaporative cooling pad.

[0003] There is an ongoing industry interest in improving pads for evaporative coolers and humidifiers to meet the growing demand for sustainability and cost reduction. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide an improved evaporative cooling pad and an air handling unit comprising the same.

[0005] The basic principle of evaporative air cooling is the process of evaporation of a liquid cooling medium, typically water. When water evaporates, it absorbs heat, thereby cooling the surrounding air. Evaporative air handling units or evaporative air coolers utilize this principle to cool air by blowing it over a wet cooling pad or through a series of wet cooling pads. As the air flows over the wet pad, the water evaporates, thereby cooling and humidifying the air. The cooled air can then be circulated to a space that needs to be cooled. The cooling effect provided by an evaporative air cooler depends on the dryness of the air and the relative humidity of the environment. In hot and dry climates, i.e. when the air is less humid, the effect is very significant. In environments with higher humidity, the cooling effect can be less noticeable.

[0006] The cooling pads in evaporative air coolers play a key role in the cooling process, providing a large surface area for water evaporation and cooling the air as it passes through. Cooling pads are typically provided on the air intake side of the cooler and are kept wet by a water pump or gravity feed system. Overall, the cooling pad used for air treatment is a critical component of the evaporative air cooler, and its performance can have a significant impact on the cooling efficiency of the device. To achieve effective cooling and humidification, it is desirable for the cooling pad to be composed of cooling panels with corrugated surfaces to increase heat exchange between the air and the cooling liquid.

[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved evaporative cooling pad with which effective cooling and humidification of an air stream can be achieved and which can contribute to increased sustainability at each stage from manufacture to installation.

[0008] When the cooling pads are transported from the manufacturer to the installation site, they are typically wrapped in protective material and loaded into containers. Due to the corrugated shape of the cooling medium sheets, most of the space inside the container is occupied by air.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to an evaporative cooling mat comprising a stack of evaporative cooling panels forming an evaporative cooling media pack. The panels are composed of a sheet material and are joined to each other at junctions on their abutting surfaces, wherein at least one junction between two abutting panel surfaces is displaced relative to at least one junction between the next two abutting evaporative panel surfaces. The cooling mat can be in a deployed state or a collapsed state. In the collapsed state, each panel is positioned in end-to-end contact with an adjacent panel. In the deployed state, the panels are positioned at a distance from each other with contact only at the junctions. The sheet material of the panels is suitably a flexible sheet material. In the context of the present application, a "flexible material" is a material that is capable of bending or flexing along its length or across its surface without breaking or tearing, and that hangs or dangles under the action of gravity. The flexible material allows the sheets to conform to each other when the mat is in the collapsed state, so that the mat occupies a small space after collapsing. Thus, the evaporative cooling mat can be collapsed into a more compact configuration before being packaged for transport to the installation site, thereby reducing the volume to be transported and lowering the costs and energy consumption associated with transport. Upon installation in an air handling unit, the panels can be pulled apart so that they are positioned at a distance from each other and thereby bring the evaporative cooling mat to the deployed state. The displaced junctions allow the mat to be stretched to the deployed state during installation in the air handling unit, so that there is a distance between adjacent panels except at the junctions. The displaced junctions cause the sheets to have an uneven shape (with ridges and valleys) after installation, thereby improving air flow and heat transfer through the cooling mat. Advantageously, in the deployed state of the media pack, the surfaces of the abutting panels are in contact only at the junctions, so that the panels have a substantially wavy shape or a substantially zigzag shape in said deployed state. A substantially wavy sheet has a surface that forms a series of smooth and undulating curves, so that the surface rises and falls in a regular pattern, creating peaks and valleys. A substantially zigzag shaped sheet forms a series of angular bends, with the segments arranged in alternating directions, creating a connected substantially linear pattern. Thereby, when the cooling mat is distributed in the deployed state, passages are formed in the mat between the panels, which increase the contact between air and the liquid cooling medium passing through the cooling mat during operation and lead to an increase in heat transfer and humidification. The panels can take on a substantially wavy shape or a substantially zigzag shape when the mat has been deployed to the deployed state, which can depend on how far the panels are pulled apart or on the degree of flexibility of the flexible material. Both shapes increase the contact between air and the cooling medium. Suitable flexibility can correspond to a bending modulus of 0.5-5 GPa, more preferably 1-4 GPa, obtained according to ISO 5628:2019.

[0010] In the collapsed state of the media pack, the surfaces of the abutting panels suitably contact each other both at the junctions and in the areas between the junctions, which ensures that the mat will occupy a very small space in the collapsed state. Furthermore, in the collapsed state of the media pack, the panels of the media pack are advantageously substantially flat, allowing the mat to occupy a smaller space in the collapsed state, reducing the costs and energy consumption associated with transportation. By using a sheet material with a suitable flexibility, the panels can be flat during transportation and obtain a substantially wavy shape when the cooling mat has been unfolded and installed in an air handling unit.

[0011] The liquid cooling medium can be any suitable liquid. Typically, water is used as the cooling medium, since it is a reliable, cost-effective and non-toxic option. In certain applications, other liquids, such as liquid absorbents or glycol, can be used as a substitute for water for the purpose of mass and energy transport.

[0012] The junctions can preferably be distributed in a pattern in which the junctions are arranged in rows, and in which the pattern of junctions joining the surfaces of the abutting panels of a first pair is displaced relative to the pattern of junctions joining the surfaces of the abutting panels of a next pair. Thereby, the passages formed between the sheets are evenly distributed, which further improves the heat transfer. The rows can preferably be arranged at an angle relative to the edges of the sheets, the angle preferably being 25-50°, more preferably 30°-45°, to further improve the heat transfer. The pattern of junctions can suitably comprise a plurality of rows positioned at a first predetermined distance from each other, and the junctions in each of said rows are positioned at a second predetermined distance from each other, such that they are positioned along a line having an angle relative to the edges of the sheets. Thereby, the passages are formed in at least two directions, which further improves the contact between the air and the cooling medium (water) and thus the heat transfer. The angle of the line of junctions relative to the edges of the sheets is preferably 5-50°, more preferably 10°-45°.

[0013] Preferably, the first surface of each second panel is joined to the second surface of a next panel via a first pattern of junctions, and the first surface of every second second panel is joined to the second surface of a next panel via a second pattern of junctions, the first and second patterns of junctions preferably being identical but displaced on each second sheet of media. The passages formed in the mat are thereby evenly distributed, and the pattern of passages is identical throughout the mat, improving the heat transfer.

[0014] The number of panels included in a cooling mat can vary depending on the intended use of the mat. Generally, a cooling mat can be constructed from a few sheets of sheet material to many layers of sheet material. Most commonly, evaporative cooling mats used in air conditioning systems and industrial applications are constructed from multiple layers of sheet material. The number of sheets used can vary between 4 to 12 sheets or more, depending on the thickness and mass of the panels and the cooling efficiency required. The number of panels used in a cooling mat will depend on factors such as the size of the mat, the type of cooling medium used, and the cooling capacity required. Generally, larger mats with more sheets will provide greater cooling capacity.

[0015] The panels of the media pack are suitably designed to retain moisture and allow air to pass through them, creating a cooling effect as the moisture evaporates. The panels of the media pack can suitably be made from a flexible sheet material, based on a woven or non-woven textile, a cellulose-based material (e.g. wood-based material, cotton-based material), a plastic, or a metal sheet material. Suitable woven or non-woven textile materials can for example be made from synthetic fibres such as nylon, polyester or polypropylene, which are highly durable and able to withstand harsh environments. Cellulose-based materials can be made from cellulose fibres or a mixture of cellulose fibres and synthetic fibres, and are cost-effective and highly absorbent, able to hold a large amount of moisture which makes them highly efficient at cooling air. Plastic sheet materials can be made from polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or polycarbonate (PC), which are relatively inexpensive, lightweight and durable materials. Metal sheet materials can be made from aluminium, copper or stainless steel.

[0016] The sheet material can preferably be hydrophilic to improve wetting and spreading properties, and the sheet material can be constructed from a hydrophilic material, for example a cellulose-based material (such as a wood / cotton-based material), or the sheet material can be surface treated with a hydrophilic surfactant. Examples of surfactants that can improve the hydrophilicity of the panel material are: non-ionic surfactants such as ethoxylated alcohols; anionic surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); water-soluble polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG); or cationic surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC).

[0017] The junctions at which the panels are joined to one another can suitably be achieved by adhesive, stitching, staples, spot welding, or half-blanked form locking. Adhesive joining can be achieved by the application of, for example, a hot melt adhesive which is applied in a molten state and solidifies as it cools, or by the application of, for example, a contact adhesive which is applied to both surfaces and allowed to dry before the two surfaces are pressed together. Spot welding can be achieved using ultrasonic welding.

[0018] The cooling pad can comprise a pair of installation retainers attached to opposite sides of the media pack, facilitating installation of the cooling pad during installation. The installation retainers preferably take the form of plates or frames of rigid material. In the present context, "rigid material" means a material that does not sag under the influence of gravity. Suitably, a first installation retainer of the pair of installation retainers is attached to a first sheet of the media pack, and a second installation retainer of the pair of installation retainers is attached to a last sheet of the media pack. During installation, the installation retainers are pulled apart, and the media pack is stretched into an unfolded state.

[0019] A method of manufacturing the above-described evaporative cooling pad is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of evaporative cooling media sheet panels, and joining each panel to an adjacent panel at a joint on their abutting surfaces, such that at least one joint between two abutting evaporative media sheet panel surfaces is displaced relative to at least one joint between two further adjacent evaporative media sheet panel surfaces. After having been joined to each other, the panels are preferably allowed to lie flat on each other, thereby bringing the cooling pad into a collapsed state.

[0020] Furthermore, a method of installing the above-described evaporative cooling pad into an air handling unit is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing the evaporative cooling pad in a collapsed state, and unfolding the cooling pad by pulling apart the panels of the evaporative cooling media pack to separate the panels from each other, while allowing them to connect at the joints, thereby bringing the cooling pad into an unfolded state, preferably further comprising the step of attaching the outermost panels to a cooling pad receiving frame subsequently.

[0021] The present disclosure also relates to an air handling unit comprising an evaporative cooling pad as described above, and a frame adapted to receive the cooling pad, the frame having an air inlet and an air outlet. The frame can comprise attachment means, such as hooks, for retaining the cooling pad in an unfolded state. The air handling unit suitably comprises a liquid distributor arranged above the cooling pad, and adapted to distribute liquid onto the surfaces of the evaporative cooling media sheets, and a fan adapted to draw air from the air inlet, through the evaporative cooling media pack, to the air outlet. A liquid receiving vessel is arranged below the cooling pad. A liquid conduit can be arranged for connecting the liquid receiving vessel with the liquid distributor, and a pump can also be included, adapted to pump liquid from the liquid receiving vessel to the liquid distributor.

[0022] The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose only preferred embodiments of the disclosure. Various modifications and changes can be made thereunto by those skilled in the art, based on the detailed description and specific examples, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0023] It should be noted, however, that while the present disclosure primarily relates to the cooling and humidification of air, the pads of the present invention can also be used in other applications involving evaporation-based heat and mass transfer, such as chemical engineering processes. Accordingly, in such applications, the terms "cooling" and "humidification" as used in the context of the present disclosure can be replaced by or referred to as "heat transfer" and "mass transfer", respectively. Accordingly, in such applications, the "cooling pads" referred to herein can more appropriately be referred to as "heat transfer pads" or "mass transfer pads", etc.

[0024] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the cooling pads and air handling units disclosed herein are not limited to the particular constructional components of the devices described, as such devices can vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The above objects and additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting description of example embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the attached drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cooling pad according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2a and Figure 2b is schematically illustrates how the panels of a cooling pad according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can be shaped when installed in an air handling unit.

[0028] Figure 3 is one example of how the junction points at which the panels join one another can be arranged.

[0029] Figure 4a is a schematic cross-sectional view of an air handling unit in which a cooling pad according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can be included.

[0030] Figure 4b is a schematic front view of the air handling unit in Figure 4a

[0031] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a method of manufacturing an evaporative cooling pad.

[0032] Figure 6 schematically illustrates one method of installing an evaporative cooling pad in an air handling unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] ​The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in other forms, and should not be interpreted as being limited only to the embodiments disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are intended to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0034] Figure 1 A cooling mat 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown in a collapsed state. The cooling mat 1 comprises a stack of evaporative cooling panels 2a, 2b, 2c forming an evaporative cooling media pack 3. The panels 2a, 2b, 2c are composed of sheet material and are joined to each other at junctions 4, 5 on their adjoining surfaces, such that at least one junction 4 between two adjoining panel surfaces 2a', 2b" is displaced relative to at least one junction 5 between the next two adjoining evaporative panel surfaces 2b', 2c". In the collapsed state of the media pack 3, the surfaces 2a', 2b" of adjoining panels 2a, 2b are in contact with each other at the junctions 4, 5 and in areas 6, 7 between the junctions 4, 5. Also, in the collapsed state of the media pack 3, the panels 2a, 2b, 2c of the media pack 3 are suitably substantially flat.

[0035] In the example of Figure 1 , the cooling mat 1 comprises a pair of mounting retainers 1 la, 1 lb attached to opposite sides of the media pack. A first mounting retainer 1 la of the pair of mounting retainers is attached to the first sheet 2a of the media pack, and a second mounting retainer 1 lb of the pair of mounting retainers is attached to the last sheet 2x of the media pack. The mounting retainers can be plates or frames composed of rigid material.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2a and Figure 2b , when the media pack 3 is in an expanded state, the surfaces 2a', 2b" of adjoining media sheets are in contact only at the junctions 4, 5, such that in the expanded state, the panels have a substantially wavy shape ( Figure 2a ) or a substantially zigzag shape ( Figure 2b ).

[0037] Figure 3The illustration shows how the joint points 4 and 5 can be distributed in the pattern. In this example, the joint points are arranged in rows 8a and 8b. The pattern of joint points 4 and 5 joining the first pair of adjacent panel surfaces 2a' and 2b" is shifted relative to the pattern of joint points 4 and 5 joining the next pair of adjacent evaporative panel surfaces 2b' and 2c". These rows are preferably arranged at an angle α1 relative to the edges 10 of the sheets 2a, 2b, and 2c. In the example shown, the joining pattern includes multiple rows 8a and 8b positioned at a first predetermined distance D1 from each other, and the joint points in each row 8a and 8b are positioned at a second predetermined distance D2a and D2b from each other, so that they are positioned along lines 9a and 9b. Lines 9a and 9b have an angle α2 relative to the edges 10 of the sheets 2a, 2b, and 2c.

[0038] The first surface 2a' of each second panel 2a, 2c is joined to the second surface 2b" of the next panel 2b via a first bonding pattern, and the first surface 2c' of every other second panel 2b is joined to the second surface 2c" of the next panel 2c via a second bonding pattern. The first bonding pattern and the second bonding pattern are preferably identical, but are shifted on each second dielectric sheet, such as... Figure 3 As shown.

[0039] Figure 4a and Figure 4b An example of an air handling unit 20 is shown, which includes the aforementioned evaporative cooling pad. The air handling unit 20 also includes a frame 30 adapted to receive the cooling pad 1, the frame having an air inlet 31 and an air outlet 32. The frame may include attachment devices (not shown), such as hooks, for holding the cooling pad in an extended position. A liquid distributor 26 is arranged above the cooling pad 1 and adapted to distribute liquid 24 onto the surface of the evaporative cooling panel, and a fan 25 is arranged to draw air 29 from the air inlet 31, through the evaporative cooling medium pack 3, to the air outlet 32. A liquid receiving container 28 is arranged below the cooling pad 1, and a liquid conduit connects the liquid receiving container 28 to the liquid distributor 26. A pump 22 is arranged to pump liquid from the liquid receiving container 28 to the liquid distributor 26.

[0040] Figure 5 The illustration schematically depicts a method 100 for manufacturing an evaporative cooling pad, comprising the steps of: providing 101 a plurality of evaporative cooling medium sheet panels; joining 102 each panel to an adjacent panel at a joint point on their adjacent surfaces such that at least one joint point between two adjacent medium sheet panel surfaces is displaced relative to at least one joint point between the next two adjacent evaporative cooling medium sheet panel surfaces; and, after being joined together, allowing 103 the panels to rest flat on each other, thereby placing the cooling pad in a collapsed state.

[0041] Figure 6 The illustration schematically shows a method 200 for mounting an evaporative cooling pad to an air handling unit, comprising the steps of: providing 201 an evaporative cooling pad in a collapsed state; and unfolding the cooling pad by pulling open 202 the panels of an evaporative cooling medium pack to separate the panels from each other while allowing them to connect at the joint, thereby placing the cooling pad in an unfolded state; preferably, the method further includes attaching 203 the outermost panel to a cooling pad receiving frame.

Claims

1. An evaporative cooling pad (1), comprising: A stack of evaporative cooling panels (2a, 2b, 2c) forming an evaporative cooling medium pack (3), characterized in that the panels (2a, 2b, 2c) are made of sheet material and are joined to each other at joint points (4, 5) on their adjacent surfaces, wherein at least one joint point (4) between two adjacent panel surfaces (2a', 2b") is displaced relative to at least one joint point (5) between the next two adjacent evaporative panel surfaces (2b', 2c"), wherein the cooling panels are made of flexible sheet material, thereby allowing the cooling pad to be in a collapsed or unfolded state.

2. The cooling pad according to claim 1, wherein, The surfaces (2a', 2b") of adjacent panels (2a, 2b) in the collapsed state of the medium package (3) are in contact with each other at the joint point (4, 5) and in the region (6, 7) between the joint points (4, 5).

3. The cooling pad according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In the collapsed state of the medium package (3), the panels (2a, 2b, 2c) of the medium package (3) are substantially flat.

4. The cooling pad according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, In the unfolded state of the medium package (3), the surfaces (2a', 2b") of the adjacent panels are in contact only at the joint points (4,5), such that in the unfolded state, the panels have a substantially zigzag shape or a substantially wavy shape.

5. The cooling pad according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The joints (4, 5) are distributed in a pattern in which the joints are arranged in rows (8a, 8b), and wherein the pattern of the joints (4, 5) of the first pair of adjacent panel surfaces (2a', 2b") is shifted relative to the pattern of the joints (4, 5) of the next pair of adjacent evaporative panel surfaces (2b', 2c"), the rows preferably being arranged at an angle (α1) relative to the edge (10) of the sheet (2a, 2b, 2c), the angle preferably being 25-50°, more preferably 30°-45°.

6. The cooling pad according to claim 5, wherein, The joining pattern includes a plurality of rows (8a, 8b) positioned at a first predetermined distance (D1) from each other, and the joining points in the rows (8a, 8b) positioned at a second predetermined distance (D2a, D2b) from each other, such that they are positioned along lines (9a, 9b) having an angle (α2) relative to the edge (10) of the sheet (2a, 2b, 2c), the angle preferably being 5-50°, more preferably 10-45°.

7. The cooling pad according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The first surface (2a') of each second panel (2a, 2c) is bonded to the second surface (2b") of the next panel (2b) via a first bonding pattern, and the first surface (2c') of every other second panel (2b) is bonded to the second surface (2c") of the next panel (2c) via a second bonding pattern, wherein the first bonding pattern and the second bonding pattern are preferably identical but offset on each second medium sheet.

8. The cooling pad according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The sheet material of the medium package is composed of sheet material based on woven or nonwoven textiles, cellulose-based materials, plastic or metal sheet materials, and the sheet material is preferably composed of hydrophilic materials or surface-treated with hydrophilic surfactants.

9. The cooling pad according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The joints (5,6) are joined by adhesives, stitching, U-shaped studs, spot welding, or semi-punch-cut shape locking to join the sheets.

10. The cooling pad according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a pair of mounting retainers (11a, 11b) attached to opposite sides of the medium pack, the mounting retainers preferably being a plate or frame made of a rigid or hard material.

11. The cooling pad according to claim 10, wherein, The first mounting retainer (11a) of the pair of mounting retainers is attached to the first sheet (2a) of the media package, and the second mounting retainer (11b) of the pair of mounting retainers is attached to the last sheet (2x) of the media package.

12. A method (100) for manufacturing an evaporative cooling pad (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: - Provides (101) a plurality of evaporative cooling medium sheet panels (2a, 2b, 2c), said sheet panels being made of flexible sheet material; - Each panel is joined to the adjacent panel at the joint point (4, 5) on their adjacent surfaces (102), such that at least one joint point (4) between two adjacent media sheet panel surfaces (2a', 2b") is displaced relative to at least one joint point (5) between the next two adjacent evaporative media sheet panel surfaces (2b', 2c").

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, After the flexible sheet panels have been joined together, (103) the flexible sheet panels are allowed to be placed flat on each other, so that the cooling pad is in a collapsed state.

14. A method (200) for installing an evaporative cooling pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 into an air handling unit, the method comprising the steps of: - Provide (201) an evaporative cooling pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in a collapsed state; - The cooling pad is unfolded (202) by pulling open the panels of the evaporative cooling medium pack to separate the panels from each other while allowing the panels to connect at the joint points (4, 5), so that the cooling pad is in the unfolded state.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of attaching (203) the outermost panel to the cooling pad receiving frame.

16. An air handling unit (20) comprising an evaporative cooling pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a frame (30) adapted to receive the cooling pad (1), the frame having an air inlet (31) and an air outlet (32).

17. The air handling unit according to claim 16, further comprising: A liquid distributor (26) is disposed above the cooling pad (1) and is adapted to distribute liquid (24) on the surface of the evaporative cooling panel; and a fan (25) is adapted to draw air (29) from the air inlet (31) through the evaporative cooling medium pack (3) to the air outlet (32).

18. The air handling unit according to claim 17, further comprising a liquid receiving container (28) disposed below the cooling pad (1).

19. The air handling unit according to claim 18, further comprising: A liquid conduit connects the liquid receiving container (28) to the liquid distributor (26); And a pump (22) adapted to pump liquid from the liquid receiving container (28) to the liquid distributor (26).

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