The content of this Master thesis is the characterization of three different cross unmixed flow heat exchangers. All of the heat exchangers have different inner geometries and dimensions. In order to perform the characterization of these heat exchangers, measurements of heat transfer were done under different conditions: five different temperatures at the inlet of the sorption side, different mass flow for both inlet sides of the heat exchangers.The heat transfer measurements were done with and without applying indirect evaporative cooling in order to find out the influence of indirect evaporative cooling. This research was done with the objective to find out which heat exchanger presents the best performance. The purpose is to install the heat exchanger in the novel solar driven open air SorLuKo system. This system was developed in Fraunhofer ISE and works under the same principe as the ECOS system. The main objective of the SorLuKo system is to dehumidify and cool a dwelling or small office.

Thesis (MSc (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / A growing number of fruit producers in warm areas are adopting the use of overtree evaporative cooling (EC) as a technique to reduce sunburn and enhance colour development of red or blushed fruit. Because fruit do not have efficient mechanisms of utilising and/or dissipating solar radiation, fruit surface temperature may rise 10 – 15oC higher than the ambient air temperature, making them very susceptible to sunburn. Sunburn negatively affects the appearance of the fruit, and they cannot be sold for fresh market consumption, which receives the highest prices. Evaporative cooling uses a sprinkler system to cool the trees from above. Energy needed to evaporate the water is extracted from the fruit skin, cooling the fruit down. The air around the trees is cooled, and a more favorable microclimate is created in the orchard. Producers have also found that the use of EC just prior to sundown and sometimes around sunrise has improved colour development on red apples (especially early varieties) before harvest. In this study, two apple (‘Cripps’ Pink’ and ‘Royal Gala’) and two pear (‘Rosemarie’ and ‘Forelle’) cultivars under EC were compared with control fruit in terms of maturity, colour, sunburn and concentrations of polyphenolics in the skin. Two EC treatments were given; early application starting from the second week in December, and late application starting two to four weeks before harvest. Photosynthetic responses were measured, as well as fruit and leaf temperatures. Underlying physiological responses of trees and fruit to EC were investigated, particularly the phenomenon of acclimation and the potential for colour development and heat stress. Fruit surface temperature of fruit under EC was found to be significantly lower than control fruit. In both apple cultivars a significant increase in fruit skin anthocyanin concentration and a decrease in phenolic content was found as the season progressed. In both pear cultivars there was a significant decrease in both anthocyanin and phenolic. No significant differences were found in anthocyanin content between treatments in either the apple or pear cultivars. In both apple cultivars a higher phenolic content was found in the peel of the EC treatments. A decrease of up to four percent in leaf and fruit surface temperature was found under EC. No significant difference in trunk circumference was found in any of the cultivars. The late EC treatment in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ had a significantly faster rate of budbreak than the control and early EC treatments. Significantly higher transpiration was observed in leaves under EC. ‘Royal Gala’ fruit under EC had less sunburn than control fruit. Unfortunately the system broke down on a hot day, causing more sunburn on ‘Cripps’ Pink’ fruit under EC. Heat tolerance of apple fruit grown under EC was evaluated in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ and ‘Royal Gala’ by determining the maximum quantum yield of chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm). Measurements were also made 12 hours after the heat treatments to determine recovery. ‘Cripps’ Pink’ fruit from both EC treatments, but particularly the early EC treatment, were less resistant to heat stress than control (non-EC) fruit at the “threshold” air temperature of 45°C. Apples were able to recover from heat treatments in the range of 32-38oC fruit surface temperature, and generally also recovered fully after 43-45°C fruit surface temperature when exposure did not exceed four hours. This knowledge could be helpful in the management of sunburn, for example when determining the threshold temperature for the activation of evaporative cooling treatments. Knowledge about the various effects evaporative cooling and the subsequent lowering of ambient temperatures has on fruit trees and fruit could contribute greatly to producers’ ability to grow high quality fruit. EC can be used successfully for controlling sunburn and increasing fruit colour, but the system needs to be controlled very carefully and care should be taken that it does not fail on a hot day, as it did during this study.

High-pressure fog (HPF) systems have advantages for greenhouse cooling compared to traditional systems, such as pad and fan. Such advantages include the potential of improving climate uniformity. Water is distributed throughout the greenhouse space thus reducing water use and energy operation costs, especially if used within naturally ventilated greenhouses. Fog cooling in combination with natural ventilation is difficult to manage, primarily because accurate estimation of air exchange rates is required to determine the precise amount of fog required. This limitation on automated control has been the main reason restricting the widespread commercial use of HPF systems. The goal of this research was to develop and implement a control strategy for a naturally ventilated greenhouse with a variable HPF system. The strategy that was developed included variable rate of fog introduced into the greenhouse, a dynamic control of the air ventilation openings, and it considered the contribution of cooling and humidification from the crop by evapotranspiration. Three evapotranspiration models, including Penman-Monteith, Stanghellini and Takakura, were calibrated and evaluated in terms of prediction accuracy. The Stanghellini model provided the best overall performance for several growing seasons and under two different evaporative cooling systems (i.e. pad and fan and natural ventilation with HPF), and was selected and implemented in the cooling control strategy. The strategy utilized enthalpy and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) of the greenhouse atmosphere for the control parameters. Using a calibrated greenhouse mechanistic climate model, a computer algorithm was created to simulate the capabilities of the proposed. The control strategy that was developed was able to maintain the greenhouse climate closer to the pre-established set points while consuming less water and energy, compared to a constant HPF system based on VPD control. Finally, the strategy was implemented in a single span research greenhouse. A four-day validation study provided good agreement for measured and simulated greenhouse climate values, as well as for water and energy use. Moreover, the strategy was able to maintain VPD around its set point for all the experiments and temperature remained around its set point when outside enthalpy was lower than the enthalpy set point.

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as respostas hormonais, fisiológicas e comportamentais de vacas Holandesas frente a situações de conforto ou estresse térmico ambiental. O experimento desenvolvido entre os verões de 2007 e 2008 no Campus Administrativo da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, utilizou 28 fêmeas de 1ª a 3ª lactações com produção média de 20 kg/dia divididas em dois grupos experimentais após a parição, com e sem disponibilidade de climatização em galpão do tipo free-stall. Os parâmetros ambientais foram avaliados através do cálculo do índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU). As colheitas de dados fisiológicos (temperatura retal, temperatura de superfície corporal do dorso e base da cauda, frequência respiratória), hormonais (cortisol e IGF-I), comportamentais e de produção e qualidade do leite foram realizadas em cinco condições climáticas no ano (outono, inverno, primavera, verão seco e verão chuvoso) caracterizadas pela temperatura, umidade relativa e radiação solar. No verão os animais foram submetidos ao Teste de Capacidade Termolítica (CT) e a um estudo comparativo de um período de sete dias sob estresse calórico em câmara climática e desafio com aplicação de ACTH. No experimento 1 o teste de capacidade termolítica foi validado. A CT foi igual para animais em lactação ou secos (P>0,05), e maior para vacas mantidas sob sistema de climatização ao longo do ano (P<0,01). Houve influência da exposição ao sol sobre todas as variáveis fisiológicas (P<0,01). Os níveis plasmáticos de cortisol foram maiores antes da exposição ao sol e depois do repouso por 1 hora à sombra para vacas em lactação (P=0,03) e para as sem disponibilidade de climatização (P=0,03). O IGF-I foi maior nas vacas secas em final de gestação (P<0,01). No experimento 2 a temperatura retal não teve influência da climatização, com os dois grupos apresentando valores abaixo de 38,56 ºC ao longo do ano (P=0,11). Observou-se uma tendência de alta (P<0,01) nas concentrações plasmáticas de cortisol entre outono e inverno, começando o decréscimo até o início do verão seco e um novo aumento durante o verão chuvoso, e um comportamento inverso para o IGF-I. Temperatura retal mostrou uma correlação moderada e positiva (P<0,01) com a temperatura superficial (0,46) e frequência respiratória (0,35). A temperatura do ar e ITU apresentaram correlações positivas de moderada à alta com as temperaturas retal, da base da cauda e superficial, e também com a frequência respiratória (P<0,01). No experimento 3 as vacas passaram a maior parte do dia na sombra em pé (84,2 %) independente da estação do ano. O ambiente climatizado proporcionou maior frequência de alimentação e produção de leite durante o verão (P<0,05), assim como teor de gordura 17,9 % maior (P<0,01). No experimento 4 os animais foram submetidos ao estresse pontual causado pelo uso do ACTH e ao estresse calórico prolongado em câmara climática. Tanto a administração de ACTH quanto a exposição ao calor prolongado em câmara climática aumentaram os níveis de cortisol plasmático. Durante o estresse calórico houve diminuição do IGF-I e produção leiteira e aumento das variáveis fisiológicas ligadas a termorregulação. / The study aimed to evaluate the hormonal, physiological and behavioral responses of Holstein cows in situations of a comfort or heat environment. The experiment was conducted between the summers of 2007 and 2008 in the University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, and used 28 females from 1st to 3rd lactations with average production of 20 kg/day divided into two experimental groups after birth, with and without an evaporative cooling system in a free-stall. Environmental parameters were evaluated by temperature and humidity index (THI). Collection of physiological data (rectal temperature, body surface, internal base of tail, respiratory rate), hormonal (cortisol and IGF-I), behavioral and production and milk quality were conducted in five climatic conditions (autumn, winter, spring, dry summer and rainy summer) characterized by air temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation. In summer the animals were subjected to Thermolysis Capacity Test (CT) and a comparative study of a period of seven days under heat stress in climatic chamber and challenged with ACTH administration. In experiment 1 the Thermolysis Capacity Test was validated. The CT was the same for dry or lactating animals (P>0.05) and higher for cows kept in evaporative cooling system throughout the year (P<0.01). The results showed influence of sun exposure on all physiological variables (P<0.01). Plasma levels of cortisol were higher before sun exposure and after the one hour rest under shade for lactating cows (P=0.03) and for no cooled animals (P=0.03). IGF-I was higher in dry cows in late gestation (P<0.01). In experiment 2 the evaporative cooling system did not show influence on rectal temperature, with both groups having values below 38.56 ºC throughout the year (P=0.11). It was observed an upward trend (P<0.01) in plasma cortisol concentrations between autumn and winter, starting the decline until the beginning of dry summer and a further increase during rainy summer, and an opposite pattern for IGF- I. Rectal temperature showed a moderate and positive correlation (P<0.01) with the body surface temperature (0.46) and respiratory rate (0.35). The air temperature and THI showed moderate to high positive correlations with rectal temperatures, and the internal base of tail, and also with the respiratory rate (P<0.01). In experiment 3 cows spent most of the day standing in the shade (84.2%) regardless of season. Cooled cows had a higher feeding frequency and milk production during summer (P<0.05) and fat content 17.9% higher (P<0.01). In experiment 4, cows were subjected to the short stress caused by the ACTH administration and prolonged heat stress in climatic chamber. Both the administration of ACTH as prolonged exposure to heat in climatic chamber increased the levels of plasma cortisol. During heat stress a decrease in plasma IGF-I and milk production was observed, and an increase in physiological variables related to thermoregulation.

It is well known that microprocessor performance can be improved by lowering the junction temperature. Two stage cascaded vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) is a mature, inexpensive, and reliable cooling technology that can offer chip temperatures down to ?? C. Recent studies have shown that for a power limited computer chip, there is a non-linear scaling effect that offers a 4.3X performance enhancement at ?? C. The heat transfer performance of a compact evaporator is often the bottleneck in sub-ambient heat removal. For this reason, the design of a deep sub-ambient compact evaporator is critical to the cooling system performance and has not been addressed in the literature. Four compact evaporator designs were investigated as feasible designs - a baseline case with no enhancement structures, micro channels, inline pin fin arrays, and alternating pin fin arrays. A parametric experimental investigation of four compact evaporator designs has been performed aiming at enhancing heat transfer. Each evaporator consists of oxygen free copper and has a footprint of 20 mm x 36 mm, with a total thickness of 3.1 mm. The micro channel evaporator contains 13 channels that are 400 um wide by 1.2 mm deep, and the pin fin evaporators contain approximately 80 pin fins that are 400 um wide by 1.2 mm tall with a pitch of 800 um. Two phase convective boiling of R508b refrigerant was investigated in each evaporator at flow rates of 50 - 70 g/min and saturation temperatures of ??to ??C. Pressure drop and local heat transfer measurements are reported and used to explain the performance of the various evaporator geometries. The results are compared to predictions from popular macro- and micro-channel heat transfer and pressure drop correlations. The challenges of implementing a two stage cascade VCR systems for microprocessor refrigeration are also discussed.

During this investigation, vibration induced droplet generation from a liquid layer was examined as a means for achieving high heat flux evaporative cooling. Experiments were performed in which droplets were generated from a liquid layer using a submerged vibrating piezoelectric driver. Parameters determined during this investigation of droplet generation were droplet mass flow rate, droplet size, driver frequency, driver voltage, and liquid layer thickness. The results showed that as the liquid layer thickness was increased, the frequencies and frequency ranges at which droplet generation occurred decreased. Droplet mass flow rates were varied by adjustment of the liquid layer thickness, driver frequency, and driver voltage. The dependence of the drivers displacement, velocity, and acceleration on frequency and voltage was determined, and the drivers frequency response was related to the occurrence of droplet generation. As a result, a frequency-dependent dimensionless parameter was proposed as a method for predicting droplet generation from the surface of the liquid layer. The dimensionless parameter is a combination of the Froude number and the dimensionless driver acceleration. The measurements have shown that droplet generation occurs when the parameter is between distinct upper and lower bounds. An analytical heat transfer model of a droplet cooling heat transfer cell was developed to simulate the performance of such a cell for thermal management applications. Using droplet flow rates determined as functions of driver voltage, driver frequency, liquid layer thickness, and interception distance, the heat transfer rate of a droplet cooling heat transfer cell was predicted for varied heat source temperatures and cell conditions. The heat transfer model was formulated in such a way as to accommodate a number of parameter variations that can be used for the design of a simple heat transfer cell. The model was used to determine the effect of droplet cooling on the heat transfer rate from a heated surface, but it can also be used to determine the influence of any of the other embodied parameters that may be of interest for thermal management applications.

Clothing can influence heat stress depending on the design and its ability to act as a barrier. The progressive heat stress protocol permitted the collection of data to empirically estimate the apparent total evaporative resistance (Re,T,a). Five different clothing ensembles were evaluated, which included work clothes, cotton coveralls, and three limited-use protective clothing ensembles including a pthesis-barrier ensemble, (Tyvek® 1424), water-barrier, vapor-permeable ensemble (NexGen® LS 417), and a vapor-barrier ensemble (Tychem QC®). The study design called for three metabolic level's: low, moderate, and high (L, M, & H) and three heat stages: compensable, transitional, uncompensable (C, T, U). The purpose of this study was to determine if Re,T,a values remained constant over a range of metabolic and heat stage levels. Calculated Re,T,a values were compared using a four-way mixed model analysis of variance. Significant differences for Re,T,a were found among ensembles, metabolic levels, heat stress stages, as well as interactions among ensembles and metabolic levels along with ensembles and heat stress stages (p < 0.0001). A Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference multiple comparison test identified where significant differences occurred (p < 0.05). Results show Re,T,a values differ over a range of metabolic levels and stages of heat stress. Additionally, convection is more supportive of evaporative cooling than diffusion.

The flow in a layer of volatile fluid driven by a horizontal temperature gradient is a fundamental transport model for numerous evaporative passive cooling applications. When a thin film of a volatile liquid is subject to a horizontal temperature gradient, changes in the surface tension at the free surface lead to Marangoni stresses that drive the flow. In a thicker liquid layer, the flow is also affected by buoyancy. This thesis describes experimental studies of convection driven by a combined action of Marangoni stresses and buoyancy in simple and binary volatile liquid layers confined in a sealed rectangular cavity heated at one end and cooled at the other. Experiments with varying concentrations of noncondensables (i.e., air) ca were performed to investigate their effect on the phase change and heat and mass transport. In the simple liquid, thermocapillary stresses drive the liquid near the free surface away from the heated end. Varying ca is shown to strongly affect the stability of this buoyancy-thermocapillary flow for Marangoni numbers Ma = 290 - 3600 and dynamic Bond numbers BoD = 0.56 - 0.82: removing air suppresses transition to multicellular and unsteady flow. The results are compared with numerical simulations and linear stability analysis. In the binary liquid considered here, a methanol-water (MeOH-H2O) mixture, solutocapillary stresses drive the flow near the free surface towards the heated end. Four distinct flow regimes are identified for this complex flow driven by thermocapillarity, solutocapillarity, and buoyancy, and are summarized in a flow regime map as a function of ca and the liquid composition (MeOH concentration). At low ca, solutocapillary effects are strong enough to drive the liquid near the free surface towards the heated end over the entire liquid layer, suggesting that binary-fluid coolants could significantly reduce film dryout.

Orientador: Lucila Chebel Labaki / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T13:58:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Teixeira_CarlaFernandaBarbosa_M.pdf: 5638005 bytes, checksum: 9a53dab8a270c161717fe41b2ab388d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O Brasil possui a maior parte de suas terras em clima tropical. Sendo a cobertura o elemento construtivo mais exposto à radiação solar direta, toma-se um desafio aos pesquisadores e projetistas, atenuar as temperaturas nas coberturas das edificações e contribuir para o uso racional de energia. O objetivo desta pesquisa é monitorar o desempenho térmico de coberturas de fibrocimento em_ células-teste na cidade de Campinas, SP, com aplicação de técnicas passivas de resmamento. Utilizaram-se quatro células-teste: uma célula-teste de referência, e outras três com os sistemas: evaporativo, radiante e reflexivo, respectivamente, e monitoramento das temperaturas superficiais internas das telhas (TT' s) e temperaturas do ar dos áticos (T AA' s), no período de 21 de janeiro a 9 de fevereiro de 2006. Para o sistema de resmamento evaporativo foram utilizados ciclos de aspersão com diferentes intervalos no período todo. Entre as técnicas monitoradas, o melhor comportamento térmico foi verificado no 2° período (de 26 a 30/jan com aspersão contínua) na temperatura da superficie interna da telha do sistema evaporativo (TTevap = 23,2°C) apresentando um decréscimo de 1,3°C em relação a célulateste de referência e um acréscimo de 0,1 °C em relação as médias da temperatura do ar para o período. Nas médias da temperatura do ar dos áticos, o 2° período apresentou os menores valores para os sistemas: reflexivo (TAArefl =23,4°C) e evaporativo (TAAevap = 23,5°C), apresentando uma atenuação de 0,5°C e 0,4°C em relação a célula de referência respectivamente, além de uma elevação de 0,3°C em relação as médias da temperatura do ar externo. Os resultados, analisados através de tratamento estatístico, demonstram a viabilidade do uso do sistema evaporativo em condições climáticas de elevada umidade relativa do ar, contribuindo para atenuar os efeitos das hostilidades climáticas em coberturas das edificações / Abstract: In Brazil, the tropical climate is predominant in most of regions. Roofing is the building component with the highest exposition to direct solar radiation. The challenge for researchers and designers is to achieve cornfort in the built environrnent and to contribute to energy saving, proposing roofing systems with good thermal insulation, and consequently lesser internal surface temperatures. The objective of this research is to monitor the thermal behavior of fiber-cement roofing and to present a discussion about the results obtained in cell-tests in the city of Campinas, SP, through passive cooling techniques. Four cell-tests were used: one cell-test was adopted as reference, and the other three were analyzed with evaporative, radiative and reflective systems, respectively. The evaporative system was tested with different aspersion cycles through spraying systems and intervals. The monitored parameters were the internal surface temperatures of the roofing tiles (TT s) and attic air temperatures (TAA's) in the period of January 21st to February 9th of2006. Among the monitored passive techniques, the best thermal behavior was observed in the 2nd period (iTom January 26th to 30th, corresponding to continue spraying), related to the internal surface temperature with the evaporative system (TTevap = 23,2°C). A reduction of 1,3°C was observed, as compared to the reference test-cell and and an increase of 0,1 °C in comparison with the average air temperature. In relation to the average of attic air temperature, the 2nd period presented the lowest temperature for reflexive system (T AArefl = 23,4°C) and evaporative system (TAAevap = 23,5°C); a reduction of 0,5°C and 0,4°C in relation of the reference test-cell respectively was observed; also, it showed an increase of 0,3°C as compared with air temperature. The results presented through statistical analyses demonstrated that the use of the evaporative system in climatic conditions with high relative humidity is viable, contributing, therefore, to attenuate the effects of climatic hostilities in the roofing buildings / Mestrado / Edificações / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as respostas hormonais, fisiológicas e comportamentais de vacas Holandesas frente a situações de conforto ou estresse térmico ambiental. O experimento desenvolvido entre os verões de 2007 e 2008 no Campus Administrativo da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, utilizou 28 fêmeas de 1ª a 3ª lactações com produção média de 20 kg/dia divididas em dois grupos experimentais após a parição, com e sem disponibilidade de climatização em galpão do tipo free-stall. Os parâmetros ambientais foram avaliados através do cálculo do índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU). As colheitas de dados fisiológicos (temperatura retal, temperatura de superfície corporal do dorso e base da cauda, frequência respiratória), hormonais (cortisol e IGF-I), comportamentais e de produção e qualidade do leite foram realizadas em cinco condições climáticas no ano (outono, inverno, primavera, verão seco e verão chuvoso) caracterizadas pela temperatura, umidade relativa e radiação solar. No verão os animais foram submetidos ao Teste de Capacidade Termolítica (CT) e a um estudo comparativo de um período de sete dias sob estresse calórico em câmara climática e desafio com aplicação de ACTH. No experimento 1 o teste de capacidade termolítica foi validado. A CT foi igual para animais em lactação ou secos (P>0,05), e maior para vacas mantidas sob sistema de climatização ao longo do ano (P<0,01). Houve influência da exposição ao sol sobre todas as variáveis fisiológicas (P<0,01). Os níveis plasmáticos de cortisol foram maiores antes da exposição ao sol e depois do repouso por 1 hora à sombra para vacas em lactação (P=0,03) e para as sem disponibilidade de climatização (P=0,03). O IGF-I foi maior nas vacas secas em final de gestação (P<0,01). No experimento 2 a temperatura retal não teve influência da climatização, com os dois grupos apresentando valores abaixo de 38,56 ºC ao longo do ano (P=0,11). Observou-se uma tendência de alta (P<0,01) nas concentrações plasmáticas de cortisol entre outono e inverno, começando o decréscimo até o início do verão seco e um novo aumento durante o verão chuvoso, e um comportamento inverso para o IGF-I. Temperatura retal mostrou uma correlação moderada e positiva (P<0,01) com a temperatura superficial (0,46) e frequência respiratória (0,35). A temperatura do ar e ITU apresentaram correlações positivas de moderada à alta com as temperaturas retal, da base da cauda e superficial, e também com a frequência respiratória (P<0,01). No experimento 3 as vacas passaram a maior parte do dia na sombra em pé (84,2 %) independente da estação do ano. O ambiente climatizado proporcionou maior frequência de alimentação e produção de leite durante o verão (P<0,05), assim como teor de gordura 17,9 % maior (P<0,01). No experimento 4 os animais foram submetidos ao estresse pontual causado pelo uso do ACTH e ao estresse calórico prolongado em câmara climática. Tanto a administração de ACTH quanto a exposição ao calor prolongado em câmara climática aumentaram os níveis de cortisol plasmático. Durante o estresse calórico houve diminuição do IGF-I e produção leiteira e aumento das variáveis fisiológicas ligadas a termorregulação. / The study aimed to evaluate the hormonal, physiological and behavioral responses of Holstein cows in situations of a comfort or heat environment. The experiment was conducted between the summers of 2007 and 2008 in the University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, and used 28 females from 1st to 3rd lactations with average production of 20 kg/day divided into two experimental groups after birth, with and without an evaporative cooling system in a free-stall. Environmental parameters were evaluated by temperature and humidity index (THI). Collection of physiological data (rectal temperature, body surface, internal base of tail, respiratory rate), hormonal (cortisol and IGF-I), behavioral and production and milk quality were conducted in five climatic conditions (autumn, winter, spring, dry summer and rainy summer) characterized by air temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation. In summer the animals were subjected to Thermolysis Capacity Test (CT) and a comparative study of a period of seven days under heat stress in climatic chamber and challenged with ACTH administration. In experiment 1 the Thermolysis Capacity Test was validated. The CT was the same for dry or lactating animals (P>0.05) and higher for cows kept in evaporative cooling system throughout the year (P<0.01). The results showed influence of sun exposure on all physiological variables (P<0.01). Plasma levels of cortisol were higher before sun exposure and after the one hour rest under shade for lactating cows (P=0.03) and for no cooled animals (P=0.03). IGF-I was higher in dry cows in late gestation (P<0.01). In experiment 2 the evaporative cooling system did not show influence on rectal temperature, with both groups having values below 38.56 ºC throughout the year (P=0.11). It was observed an upward trend (P<0.01) in plasma cortisol concentrations between autumn and winter, starting the decline until the beginning of dry summer and a further increase during rainy summer, and an opposite pattern for IGF- I. Rectal temperature showed a moderate and positive correlation (P<0.01) with the body surface temperature (0.46) and respiratory rate (0.35). The air temperature and THI showed moderate to high positive correlations with rectal temperatures, and the internal base of tail, and also with the respiratory rate (P<0.01). In experiment 3 cows spent most of the day standing in the shade (84.2%) regardless of season. Cooled cows had a higher feeding frequency and milk production during summer (P<0.05) and fat content 17.9% higher (P<0.01). In experiment 4, cows were subjected to the short stress caused by the ACTH administration and prolonged heat stress in climatic chamber. Both the administration of ACTH as prolonged exposure to heat in climatic chamber increased the levels of plasma cortisol. During heat stress a decrease in plasma IGF-I and milk production was observed, and an increase in physiological variables related to thermoregulation.