Solar Air Conditioning Systems With PCM Solar Collectors

Solar Energy ◽  
2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge E. Gonza´lez ◽  
Luis Humberto Alva S.
Keyword(s):  
Flat Plate ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Lithium Bromide ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Solar Collectors ◽  
Absorption System ◽  
Air Conditioning System ◽  
Graphite Composite ◽  
Cooling Loads

This paper investigates the technical feasibility of using a compact, air-cooled, solar absorption air conditioning system when coupled to an innovative array of solar collectors. The particular absorption system of study is a single effect that uses lithium bromide and water as the absorbent and refrigerant fluid pair. The geographical location of interest is Puerto Rico and similar subtropical regions. The heat input to the absorption system generator is provided by an array of novels flat plate solar collectors that integrate the thermal storage component into them. The proposed collectors have a phase change material (PCM) integrated into them as a storage mechanism. The PCM-integrated solar collector eliminates the need of conventional storage tanks reducing cost and space. The present work uses a paraffin-graphite composite as the PCM to increase the conductivity of the PC matrix. The paraffin’s melting point is around 89°C that is appropriate for use in absorption systems. The mathematical model that describes the thermal process in the PCM is presented and differs from the analysis of conventional flat plate solar collectors. The proposed model for the PCM considers the temporal changes but not the spatial variations. The resulting set of equations for the fluid flow, the PCM, and the collector’s surface are solved simultaneously. Results for the collectors’ thermal performance are presented along with the effects of the composition of the PCM material. The thermal performance of an absorption machine coupled to an array of the proposed PCM’s solar collectors was investigated for nominal cooling capacities of 10.5, 14, and 17.5 kW. These cooling loads are suitable for a typical house or a small business building in Caribbean Islands. Computer simulations were conducted to evaluate the overall system’s performance when subjected to dynamic cooling loads. Within the computer model, heat and mass balances are conducted on each component of the system, including the solar collectors, the air-cooled condenser, and the air-cooled absorber. Comparisons are made with an absorption air conditioning system that uses a cooling tower with conventional flat plate collectors instead of air-cooled and PCM components. Useful information about physical dimensions of collectors, number of collectors needed, and efficiency of the overall system is presented.

Simulation of an Air-Cooled Solar-Assisted Absorption Air Conditioning System

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. H. Alva Solari ◽  
J. E. González
Keyword(s):  
Storage Tank ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Lithium Bromide ◽  
Thermal Storage ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Absorption System ◽  
Air Conditioning System ◽  
Component Design ◽  
Dynamic Cooling ◽  
Cooling Loads

Abstract This paper investigates the technical feasibility of using a compact, air-cooled, solar-assisted, absorption air conditioning system in Puerto Rico and similar regions. Computer simulations were conducted to evaluate the system’s performance when subjected to dynamic cooling loads. Within the computer model, heat and mass balances are conducted on each component of the system, including the solar collectors, thermal storage tank, the air-cooled condenser, and the air-cooled absorber. Guidance on component design and insight into the effects of such operating factors as ambient air temperature were gained from exercising the simulation model. Comparisons are made with an absorption air conditioning system that uses a cooling tower instead of air-cooled components. The particular absorption system of study is one that uses lithium bromide and water as the absorbent and refrigerant, respectively. The heat input to the absorption system generator is provided by an array of flat plate collectors that are coupled to a thermal storage tank. Systems having nominal cooling capacities of 10.5, 14, and 17.5 kW were considered. Useful information about the number of collectors needed, storage tank volume and efficiency of the overall system is presented.

Simulation of an Air-Cooled Solar-Assisted Absorption Air Conditioning System

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis H. Alva ◽  
Jorge E. Gonza´lez
Keyword(s):  
Storage Tank ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Lithium Bromide ◽  
Thermal Storage ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Absorption System ◽  
Air Conditioning System ◽  
Component Design ◽  
Dynamic Cooling ◽  
Cooling Loads

This paper investigates the technical feasibility of using a compact, air-cooled, solar-assisted, absorption air conditioning system in Puerto Rico and similar regions. Computer simulations were conducted to evaluate the system’s performance when subjected to dynamic cooling loads. Within the computer model, heat and mass balances are conducted on each component of the system, including the solar collectors, thermal storage tank, the air-cooled condenser, and the air-cooled absorber. Guidance on component design and insight into the effects of such operating factors as ambient air temperature were gained from exercizing the simulation model. Comparisons are made with an absorption air conditioning system that uses a cooling tower instead of air-cooled components. The particular absorption system of study is one that uses lithium bromide and water as the absorbent and refrigerant, respectively. The heat input to the absorption system generator is provided by an array of flat plate collectors that are coupled to a thermal storage tank. Systems having nominal cooling capacities of 10.5, 14, and 17.5 kW were considered. Useful information about the number of collectors needed, storage tank volume, and efficiency of the overall system is presented.

The study of solar absorption air-conditioning systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Mittal ◽  
KS Kasana ◽  
NS Thakur
Keyword(s):  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Lithium Bromide ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Solar Absorption ◽  
Air Conditioning System ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Absorption Cooling ◽  
Solar Powered ◽  
Solar Absorption Cooling ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems

An air-conditioning system utilizing solar energy would generally be more efficient, cost wise, if it was used to provide both heating and cooling requirements in the building it serves. Various solar powered heating systems have been tested extensively, but solar powered air conditioning systems have received very little attention. Solar powered absorption cooling systems can serve both heating and cooling requirements in the building it serves. Many researchers have studied the solar absorption air conditioning system in order to make it economically and technically viable. But still, much more research in this area is needed. This paper will help many researchers working in this area and provide them with fundamental knowledge on absorption systems, and a detailed review on the past efforts in the field of solar absorption cooling systems with the absorption pair of lithium-bromide and water. This knowledge will help them to start the parametric study in order to investigate the influence of key parameters on the overall system performance.

scholarly journals A New Design of an Integrated Solar Absorption Cooling System Driven by an Evacuated Tube Collector: A Case Study for Baghdad, Iraq

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adil Al-Falahi ◽  
Falah Alobaid ◽  
Bernd Epple
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Coefficient Of Performance ◽  
Solar Absorption ◽  
Air Conditioning System ◽  
Solar Fraction ◽  
Design Variables

The electrical power consumption of refrigeration equipment leads to a significant influence on the supply network, especially on the hottest days during the cooling season (and this is besides the conventional electricity problem in Iraq). The aim of this work is to investigate the energy performance of a solar-driven air-conditioning system utilizing absorption technology under climate in Baghdad, Iraq. The solar fraction and the thermal performance of the solar air-conditioning system were analyzed for various months in the cooling season. It was found that the system operating in August shows the best monthly average solar fraction (of 59.4%) and coefficient of performance (COP) (of 0.52) due to the high solar potential in this month. Moreover, the seasonal integrated collector efficiency was 54%, providing a seasonal solar fraction of 58%, and the COP of the absorption chiller was 0.44, which was in limit, as reported in the literature for similar systems. A detailed parametric analysis was carried out to evaluate the thermal performance of the system and analyses, and the effect of design variables on the solar fraction of the system during the cooling season.

scholarly journals An experimental study of the thermal performance of the square and rhombic solar collectors

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1 Part B) ◽  
pp. 487-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aminreza Noghrehabadi ◽  
Ebrahim Hajidavaloo ◽  
Mojtaba Moravej ◽  
Ali Esmailinasab
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Solar Collectors ◽  
Heating Systems ◽  
Solar Water Heating

Solar collectors are the key part of solar water heating systems. The most widely produced solar collectors are flat plate solar collectors. In the present study, two types of flat plate collectors, namely square and rhombic collectors are experi?mentally tested and compared and the thermal performance of both collectors is investigated. The results show both collectors have the same performance around noon (?61%), but the rhombic collector has better performance in the morning and afternoon. The values for rhombic and square collectors are approximately 56.2% and 53.5% in the morning and 56.1% and 54% in the afternoon, respectively. The effect of flow rate is also studied. The thermal efficiency of rhombic and square flat plate collectors increases in proportion to the flow rate. The results indicated the rhombic collector had better performance in comparison with the square collector with respect to the mass-flow rate.

scholarly journals Effect of cooling water loop on the thermal performance of air conditioning system

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 100518
Author(s):  
A. Siricharoenpanich ◽  
S. Wiriyasart ◽  
R. Prurapark ◽  
P. Naphon
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Cooling Water ◽  
Air Conditioning System

scholarly journals Thermal Performance of Solar Collectors with EPDM Absorber Plates

1988 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 623
Author(s):  
MJ O'Keefe ◽  
JLA Francey
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Thermal Resistance ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Critical Value ◽  
Solar Collectors ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
High Thermal Resistance

An experimental study of flat-plate solar collectors using ethylene, propylenediene monomer (EPDM) absorber plates is descn"bed. In spite of the high thermal resistance of this material the performance is found to compare well with metal absorbers and to be in agreement with the Hottel-Whillier-Bliss equation. There is, however, an observed increase in the heat loss coefficient for mass flow rates below a critical value.

scholarly journals Simulation and experimental study of phase change cooling and heating wall radiation air conditioning system

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 02044
Author(s):  
Gao Chunxue ◽  
Wu Songlin ◽  
Lang Junqian ◽  
Liu Qiuxin
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Operation Condition ◽  
Heating Wall ◽  
Air Conditioning System ◽  
Winter Operation

This paper presents a case study of phase change cooling and heating wall radiant (PC-CHWR) air conditioning system application in an energy-saving renovation project in a laboratory in Wuhan, Hubei province in China. To test the thermal performance of the system, the PHOENICS software was utilized to simulate and analyse the indoor thermal environment in the laboratory under both winter and summer operating conditions. In addition, field experiments were also conducted under winter operation condition. By comparing the results between numerical simulation and field experiment, it is found that thermal performance of the PC-CHWR air conditioning system evaluated by these two evaluation methods are quite match. Moreover, the results also show that the PC-CHWR system can meet the cooling and heating load of the building within the acceptable range.

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