Implementing evaporative desiccant cooling in tunisia: a climate-adapted approach for sustainable thermal comfort

In Tunisia, buildings often grapple with excessive cooling and high energy consumption due to traditional summer cooling systems. Eco-friendly alternatives like solar cooling and dehumidification systems are gaining interest in their ability to manage temperature and humidity efficiently. This research addresses the challenge of implementing evaporative desiccant solar cooling systems across Tunisia, a country with diverse climates, from the Mediterranean north to arid desert landscapes in the south. A structured approach is used, collecting data from seventeen cities during the summer season. A prototype solid desiccant cooling system adapted to Tunisia's climate is designed and tested. Tunisia is classified into three climate zones. Zone, one encompasses the north–south coastal region with high summer humidity of over 40% and temperatures of 25–30 °C. It requires a sophisticated approach, combining desiccation-cooling with humidification for thermal comfort. Zone two pertains to regions with summer temperatures over 30 °C and humidity from 30 to 40%. A subtle air-drying element enhances comfort. Zone three deals with areas where summer temperatures reach 35 °C, and humidity remains below 30%. This unique air conditioning approach focuses on moisture without air drying, ensuring thermal comfort. This research highlights the potential of evaporative desiccant solar cooling systems to enhance comfort and reduce energy consumption across various climates.