Simulation of an adsorption solar cooling system

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 530 - 537
• Main Authors: Hassan, H.Z., Mohamad, A.A., Bennacer, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Activated carbon–methanol; Adsorption; ambient temperature; Applied sciences; computer software; condensers; cooling; Devices using thermal energy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; equipment performance; Exact sciences and technology; heat; Heat exchangers (included heat transformers, condensers, cooling towers); mass transfer; mathematical models; Modelling; Refrigerating engineering; Refrigerating engineering. Cryogenics. Food conservation; Refrigeration; Simulation; simulation models; Solar energy; solar radiation; stainless steel; surface area; Techniques. Materials; thermal conductivity; Modelling; Activated carbon–methanol; Adsorption; Simulation; Refrigeration; Solar energy; Tubular reactor; Condenser; Activated carbon; Cooling system; Evaporator; Numerical simulation; Mathematical model; Performance; Methanol
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2010.10.011

A more realistic theoretical simulation model for a tubular solar adsorption refrigerating system using activated carbon–methanol (AC/M) pair has been introduced. The mathematical model represents the heat and mass transfer inside the adsorption bed, the condenser, and the evaporator. The simulation technique takes into account the variations of ambient temperature and solar radiation along the day. Furthermore, the local pressure, and local thermal conductivity variations in space and time inside the tubular reactor are investigated as well. A C++ computer program is written to solve the proposed numerical model using the finite difference method. The developed program covers the operations of all the system components along the cycle time. The performance of the tubular reactor, the condenser, and the evaporator has been discussed. Time allocation chart and switching operations for the solar refrigeration system processes are illustrated as well. The case studied has a 1 m 2 surface area solar flat plate collector integrated with a 20 stainless steel tubes containing the AC/M pair and each tube has a 5 cm outer diameter. In addition, the condenser pressure is set to 54.2 kpa. It has been found that, the solar coefficient of performance and the specific cooling power of the system are 0.211 and 2.326 respectively. In addition, the pressure distribution inside the adsorption bed has been found nearly uniform and varying only with time. Furthermore, the AC/M thermal conductivity is shown to be constant in both space and time.