Performance of Pineapple Leaf Fiber-Based Composite Bearing Thermofluids in Evaporative Cooling: A CFD Study with the Taguchi L9 Design

Joel Mangasi Tua Purba; Ayu Zahra Chandrasari

doi:10.59976/jurit.v4i2.367

Authors

Joel Mangasi Tua Purba Universitas Widyatama
Ayu Zahra Chandrasari Universitas Widyatama

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59976/jurit.v4i2.367

Keywords:

Dinamika Fluida Komputasi, Media Berpori, Metode Taguchi, Pendinginan Evaporatif, Rekayasa Termofluida, Serat Daun Nanas, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Porous Media, Taguchi Method, Evaporative Cooling, Pineapple Leaf Fiber

Abstract

The use of synthetic materials in evaporative cooling pads has prompted the exploration of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF)-based composites; however, the sensitivity of their thermophysical properties regarding thermofluid performance remains unquantified. This study aims to examine the sensitivity of material density, porosity, and thermal conductivity to temperature drop (ΔT), cooling effectiveness, and pressure drop (ΔP). Steady-state, fully wetted, homogeneous porous zone Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted using a Taguchi L9 orthogonal array (3 factors × 3 levels). Inlet air conditions were set at a temperature of 21°C, a relative humidity of 79.2%, and a velocity of 1 m/s. A "larger-the-better" Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio analysis was applied to evaluate factor sensitivity rankings across the tested levels. Based on delta S/N values, porosity ranked highest in sensitivity regarding its influence on ΔT, followed by thermal conductivity and density. Combination S5 (porosity 0.9198, density 953.3 kg/m³, and thermal conductivity 0.0489 W/m·K) yielded a ΔT of 0.147°C, cooling effectiveness of 5.627%, and ΔP of 0.172 Pa. The theoretical temperature drop is limited by the inlet air's wet-bulb temperature. This study did not involve physical sample fabrication, testing of absorption or durability, or direct experimental comparison with commercial pads. The results present numerical sensitivity trends under the tested simulation conditions to serve as a guide for pore architecture design, rather than a physical validation of replacing commercial materials.

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