A solar air-cooled high efficiency absorption system in dry hot climates: Reduction of water consumption and environmental impact

A solar cooling system with an optimized air-cooled double-effect water/LiBr absorption machine is proposed as a sustainable alternative to meet cooling demands in dry hot climates. This system allows eliminating the cooling towers in those regions of the planet where water is scarce. This work analyses the environmental benefits of this air-cooled system, as well as its environmental foot-prints, compared to a solar water-cooled single effect. In this regard, a methodology has been applied to calculate the annual saving in water consumption produced in a case study: a hospital located in Almer?a, in South of Spain. Further-more, the reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions is also quantified since this machine can be driven by solar energy and with higher efficiency than those of single effect.