Evaporative cooling pads of different materials

In the fields of industrial production, agricultural breeding, commercial buildings, etc., evaporative cooling pads, as an efficient and energy-saving cooling device, have received widespread attention. Among them, plastic evaporative cooling pads and paper evaporative cooling pads are the two mainstream products on the market. They each have unique advantages and applicable scenarios. The following will conduct an in-depth analysis of the two from multiple dimensions to provide you with a comprehensive purchase reference.

 Material and structure differences

Plastic evaporative cooling pads
Plastic evaporative cooling pads are usually made of special polymer materials, such as PP, PVC and other native plastics. These materials have good physical stability and chemical inertness, and can maintain stable performance in a variety of complex environments. Its structure is mostly a three-dimensional honeycomb design, which increases the contact area with the air, which is conducive to the full exchange of heat between air and water, and also enhances the uniformity of water flow distribution and improves cooling efficiency.

Paper evaporative cooling pads
Paper evaporative cooling pads are mainly made of plant fibers, and generally use special paper with good water absorption performance, such as poplar fiber paper. Its structure presents a wavy multi-layer folding design, forming many small channels to increase the contact path between air and water and achieve efficient evaporative cooling. However, since paper materials are essentially made of interwoven fibers, their physical strength is relatively weak compared to plastic materials.

Performance comparison

Cooling efficiency
From the cooling principle, both cooling pads achieve cooling by taking away heat through water evaporation. Under ideal conditions, paper evaporative cooling pads can quickly absorb and evaporate water due to the strong water absorption and good air permeability of fiber materials, achieving significant cooling effects in a short time, especially in environments with low air humidity; while plastic evaporative cooling pads can ensure uniform contact between air and water with their reasonable honeycomb structure. Although the instantaneous cooling speed in extremely dry environments is slightly inferior to that of paper cooling pads, they are better in continuously and stably playing a cooling role, and can still maintain a certain cooling performance in high humidity environments.

Durability
Plastic evaporative cooling pads have excellent tear resistance, aging resistance and corrosion resistance due to the advantages of native plastic materials. It is not afraid of water immersion, will not rot or deform in a long-term humid environment, and is not easily eroded by insects and microorganisms. Under normal use, the service life can reach 5-10 years or even longer; due to the characteristics of the material, the paper evaporative cooling pad is easily affected by moisture and microorganisms during long-term use, resulting in fiber decomposition and structural damage. The general service life is 1-3 years, and its life will be further shortened in high temperature, high humidity, and poor water quality environments.

Difficulty of maintenance
The surface of the plastic evaporative cooling pad is smooth and not easy to adhere to dust and impurities. Daily maintenance only requires regular water washing to remove surface dirt. The cleaning process is simple and convenient; due to its porous structure, the paper evaporative cooling pad is easy to absorb dust and impurities, block the air channel, and reduce the cooling efficiency. It needs to be more careful when cleaning to avoid damaging the structure. After multiple cleanings, its performance will decline, and the maintenance difficulty and cost are relatively high.

Application scenario selection

Plastic evaporative cooling pad
Due to its strong durability and easy maintenance, it is suitable for use in places with relatively harsh environments. For example, in industrial plants, facing the complex environment of high temperature, high dust and corrosive gas, plastic evaporative cooling pads can work stably for a long time; in large farms, plastic cooling pads are not afraid of animal biting and feces pollution, and can effectively create a cool and comfortable growth environment for livestock; in some areas with high humidity, plastic cooling pads will not deteriorate due to humidity, and can still play a good cooling effect.

Paper evaporative cooling pads
Paper evaporative cooling pads are more suitable for places that are more cost-sensitive, have a short service life or a relatively clean environment due to their high initial cooling efficiency and relatively low cost. For small commercial stores, temporary buildings used seasonally, and areas with low air humidity and low requirements for the durability of cooling pads, choosing paper evaporative cooling pads can reduce procurement costs while meeting cooling needs.

Cost

In terms of initial procurement costs, paper evaporative cooling pads are usually relatively cheap and suitable for users with limited budgets; while plastic evaporative cooling pads are relatively expensive due to their high material and process costs. However, from the perspective of long-term use costs, plastic evaporative cooling pads have a long service life and simple maintenance, so the annual cost is not high; paper evaporative cooling pads require frequent replacement and maintenance, and the comprehensive cost may exceed that of plastic cooling pads.

Plastic evaporative cooling pads and paper evaporative cooling pads each have their own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing, users need to consider multiple factors such as their own use environment, budget, requirements for cooling performance and durability, so as to select the evaporative cooling pad product that best suits them and achieve a balance between efficient cooling and economic benefits.