Experimental investigation and performance analysis of a mini-type solar absorption cooling system

Abstract A mini-type solar-powered absorption cooling system with a cooling capacity of 8 kW was designed. Lithium bromide-water was used as the working pairs of the chiller. Solar collectors with an area of 96 m2 were installed. A water storage tank with a volume of 3 m3 was used to store the hot water from the solar collectors. The experimental results showed that the average values of PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) and PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) of the test room were 0.22 and 5.89, respectively. Taking the average value of PMV and PPD into consideration, the solar cooling system could meet the indoor thermal comfort demand with the comfort level of A. The power consumption was reduced by 43.5% after introducing the stepped utilization of energy into the air handling unit. Meanwhile, a theoretical model was established based on Matlab to predict the variations of the system performance with ambient parameters. It is shown that the solar radiation intensity has a greater impact on the performance of the solar powered absorption cooling system compared with the ambient temperature. It is also shown that the indoor air temperature goes down with the increase of the solar radiation intensity as well as the decrease of the ambient temperature.

[1]  F. Rosa,et al.  Solar absorption cooling plant in Seville , 2010 .

[2]  M. Venegas,et al.  Experimental diagnosis of the influence of operational variables on the performance of a solar absorption cooling system , 2011 .

[3]  K. F. Fong,et al.  Comparative study of solar cooling systems with building-integrated solar collectors for use in sub-tropical regions like Hong Kong , 2012 .

[4]  Clemens Pollerberg,et al.  Performance assessment of an integrated free cooling and solar powered single-effect lithium bromide-water absorption chiller , 2008 .

[5]  Armando C. Oliveira,et al.  Energy and economic analysis of an integrated solar absorption cooling and heating system in different building types and climates , 2009 .

[6]  Reinhard Radermacher,et al.  Modeling of a solar powered absorption cycle for Abu Dhabi , 2012 .

[7]  Emilio José Sarabia Escrivà,et al.  Air conditioning production by a single effect absorption cooling machine directly coupled to a solar collector field. Application to Spanish climates , 2011 .

[8]  Seppo J. Ovaska,et al.  Solar Energy and Free Cooling Potential in European Data Centers , 2012, ANT/MobiWIS.

[9]  G. Grossman.  Solar-powered systems for cooling, dehumidification and air-conditioning , 2002 .

[10]  Francesco Calise,et al.  Maximization of primary energy savings of solar heating and cooling systems by transient simulations and computer design of experiments , 2010 .

[11]  K. F. Fong,et al.  Solar hybrid cooling system for high-tech offices in subtropical climate – Radiant cooling by absorption refrigeration and desiccant dehumidification , 2011 .

[12]  Xiaoqiang Zhai,et al.  Experimental investigation and theoretical analysis of the solar adsorption cooling system in a green building , 2009 .

[13]  Todd Otanicar,et al.  Prospects for solar cooling – An economic and environmental assessment , 2012 .

[14]  S. Alonso,et al.  Improvement of an existing solar powered absorption cooling system by means of dynamic simulation an , 2011 .

[15]  Berhane H. Gebreslassie,et al.  A systematic tool for the minimization of the life cycle impact of solar assisted absorption cooling systems , 2010 .

[16]  Ming Qu,et al.  A review for research and new design options of solar absorption cooling systems , 2011 .

[17]  C. A. Infante Ferreira,et al.  Solar refrigeration options – a state-of-the-art review , 2008 .

[18]  Reinhard Radermacher,et al.  Review of Solar Cooling Technologies , 2008 .