The increasing energy demand for air-conditioning underscores the need for sustainable and cost-effective cooling technologies. This study presents a comprehensive analytical model for terracotta tubular direct evaporative cooling systems, addressing the gap in parametric analysis and design optimization for these eco-friendly
systems. The model integrates heat and mass transfer principles, energy and mass balance equations, and empirical correlations. Experimental validation with a lab-scale prototype demonstrated accurate predictions, with temperature and humidity deviations of less than 2 ◦C and 5 %, respectively. Further validation against anexisting numerical model yielded a Root Mean Square Deviation of 0.43–1.18 ◦C under varying inlet air conditions. Key findings include a maximum air temperature reduction of 10 ◦C and an increase in relative humidity to 66 %, achieved under typical summer day conditions in Burkina Faso with an air velocity of 1 m/s. Parametric analyses revealed that longer tube lengths enhance cooling efficiency up to saturation limits, while smaller hydraulic diameters improve heat and mass transfer rates. This study further highlighted the significant influence
of inlet air conditions on the cooling performance, while indicating minimal impact of Lewis number variation on wet bulb effectiveness. Terracotta tubes are demonstrated to be a reliable, sustainable, low-energy cooling alternative for hot, arid climates. The proposed model effectively captures heat and mass transfer mechanisms
while reducing computational expenses, offering a practical tool for design and optimization. Future research should explore durability, scalability, and real-world implementation to advance terracotta-based coolingtechnologies for residential, agricultural, and industrial applications, contributing to sustainable and low-carbon development goals.

Analytical modeling, Porous terracotta tube, Direct Evaporative Cooling, Heat and Mass Exchanger, Influential parameters