Energy-efficient hybrid cooling system: Integrating direct and indirect evaporative cooling with the Maisotsenko cycle

• A novel hybrid evaporative cooling system based on the Maisotsenko Cycle is proposed, integrating both direct and indirect methods. • The system achieves a high cooling capacity of 15,858.3 W and a coefficient of performance (COP) of 26.11 after optimization. • The design recovers up to 65 % of wasted cooling energy from the indirect cycle while maintaining thermal comfort with 63.6 % relative humidity. • A Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was applied to determine the optimal airflow velocity, distribution ratio, and device width. • The system is highly adaptable to extreme climates, showing applicability in over 90 % of Middle Eastern cities based on climatic simulations. As global temperatures rise, the demand for cooling solutions that are both sustainable and energy-efficient has become increasingly urgent. Traditional vapor-compression cooling systems, although widely used, are energy-intensive and significantly contribute to environmental harm. In contrast, evaporative cooling systems offer a more energy-efficient alternative but often face limitations in terms of cooling capacity and humidity control, especially in specific climatic conditions. In response to these challenges, this study introduces an innovative hybrid system that combines both direct and indirect evaporative cooling, based on the Maisotsenko Cycle (M-Cycle). This new design successfully addresses the drawbacks of conventional systems, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining thermal comfort across various environmental conditions. The proposed hybrid system leverages the unique advantages of both direct and indirect evaporative cooling, resulting in enhanced performance. The system is designed to recover up to 65 % of the cooling capacity from the indirect method, improving overall efficiency. Computational simulations demonstrated that the optimized system achieved a cooling capacity of 15,858.3 W and a coefficient of performance (COP) of 26.11, indicating substantial energy savings. Additionally, the system maintains a relative humidity of 63.6 %, ensuring comfort without the risks of excessive humidity typically associated with direct evaporative cooling. The hybrid M-Cycle system is adaptable to various climates, particularly in regions with extreme heat, such as the Middle East, where it could meet the cooling demands of over 90 % of cities.