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This paper presents a mathematical model to enable a more in-depth understanding of the combined heat and mass transfer processes of a counter-flow indirect evaporative cooler operating in semi-arid regions. A series of simulation was conducted to compare the performances between a single-purge and four-purge configurations. Furthermore, the effect of several parameters on the performance of the single-purge configuration was investigated under the baseline condition. The developed model was validated against experimental data from literature to within 2% discrepancy. Key results revealed that the single-purge configuration produced higher cooling capacity (around 20% higher), as well as higher dew-point effectiveness under the same operating conditions. A parametric study was also made on the single-purge configuration. The results revealed that lower product air temperature and higher dew point effectiveness were achieved with longer channel length and larger purge ratio. However, the maximum cooling capacity approached its maximum with longer channel length and 35% purge ratio. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.