Solar Energy to Drive Half-Effect Absorption Cooling System

Abstract

This paper presents the simulation results and an overview of the performance of low capacity two stage half-effect absorption cooling system (10kW), suitable for residential and small building applications. The primary heat source is solar energy supplied from flat plate collectors. The complete system (solar collectors-absorption cooling system) was simulated using a developed software program. The energy and exergy analysis is carried out for each component of the system. All exergy destructed that exist in this solar cooling system is calculated. Critical temperatures which are the minimum allowable hot water inlet temperatures are determined. This system has shown promising characteristics. When the condenser temperature is fixed at 28°C, 32°C and 36°C it can be concluded that between time of day 10 and 14 solar collector provides about 96%, 95% and 91% heating energy required respectively with a cover of about 100% between time of day 11 and 13 which correspond to a maximum of solar radiation. The daily cover is about 71%, 70% and 65% respectively.