Applicability of a solar adsorption cooling machine in semiarid regions: Proposal of supplementary cooler using earth-water heat exchanger

Abstract

This paper interests to the applicability of the solar adsorption air refreshment systems in the semiarid region of Biskra (Algeria) and the water cooling system was investigated. We proposed the replacement of the dry cooling tower (DCT) used in the main system with a supplementary water cooling system based on shallow geothermal energy by using earth-water heat exchanger (EWHE). The supplementary EWHE operates just when the ambient temperature exceeds the operating limits of the DCT. Thus, we have modeled and sized the EWHE by FORTRAN programming code. After the code validation, we have designed the appropriate EWHE to the region keeping the same pressure drop and respecting all the functioning conditions of an experimental SACM found in the literature. Results are very significant and showed that the geothermal solution can effectively replace the DCT and presents an important reduced cost compared with other solutions.