Where water conservation is concerned, central air-

conditioning systems in commercial buildings are installed with air-

cooled chillers for comfort cooling. This study examines evaporative
cooling technologies for air-cooled chillers to improve their energy
performance. Two common devices for cooling air intake to condensers
are evaporative coolers and mist generators. Depending on weather
conditions and packing materials, evaporative coolers can enhance the
refrigeration effect and chiller energy performance at various degrees.
Yet, different configurations and designs for air-cooled condensers call for
tailor-made design of the coolers. The coolers also impose additional flow
resistance to condenser air and, in turn, additional fan power. Mist
generated in front of the condensers brings no flow resistance to
condenser air and allows the dry bulb temperature approach closely the
corresponding wet bulb temperature. The cooling effectiveness can be
maximized with lesser water consumption. The benefit of evaporative
cooling for air-cooled chillers is more appealing in
future climate scenarios in a subtropical climate, considering the higher
difference between the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures. Integration
of control and optimization strategies with mist precooling has been
discussed.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512549.2015.1040070