Experimental Analysis of Newly Designed Solar Assisted Single Effect Absorption Cooling System of 5.25 kW Cooling Capacity for Domestic Use

Abstract:

Many research studies have been carried out to develop small capacity absorption cooling systems as an alternative to conventional vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) systems with respect to performance and economic aspects. The aim of this work is to design a solar assisted single effect absorption cooling system of 5.25 kW cooling capacity to cool a room having floor area of 15 m². Based on the design, an experimental setup is constructed and operated by supplying heat to the generator using solar energy. The performance analysis of the cooling system is carried out by measuring the various operational parameters. The minimum cooling temperature of 16^°C is observed in the evaporator and maximum COP of 0.9 is obtained when the hot water storage tank reaches 90^°C. As per this new design, the operational cost is minimized and the COP obtained is slightly higher when compared to that of earlier similar works.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 787)
• Pages: 32-36
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.787.32
• Online since: August 2015
• Authors: V.Boopathi Raja*, V. Shanmugam
• Keywords: 5.25 kW Absorption Cooling System, Experimental Analysis, Fabrication, LiBr-H₂O, New Design

References

[1] V. Boopathi Raja, V. Shanmugam, A review and new approach to minimize the cost of solar assisted absorption cooling system, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16 (2012) 6725 -6731.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2012.08.004

[2] J. Deng, R.Z. Wang, G.Y. Han, A review of thermally activated cooling technologies for combined cooling, heating and power systems, Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 37 (2011) 172-203.

DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2010.05.003

[3] A. Gonzalez-Gil, M. Izquierdo, J.D. Marcos, E. Palacios, Experimental evaluation of a direct air-cooled lithium bromide-water absorption prototype for solar air conditioning, Applied Thermal Engineering, 16 (2011) 3358 - 3368.

DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2011.06.019

[4] GA Florides, SA Kalogirou, SA Tassou, LC Wrobel, Modeling, simulation and warming impact assessment of a domestic-size absorption solar cooling system, Applied Thermal Engineering, 22 (2002) 1313-1325.

DOI: 10.1016/s1359-4311(02)00054-6

[5] Lin Wang, Yingying Tan, Xiao long Cui and Hongli Cui, The application of LabVIEW in data acquisition system of solar absorption refrigerator, Energy Procedia, 16 (2012) 1496 – 1502.

DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2012.01.235

[6] ASHRAE Handbook of fundamentals (1997).