Feasibility Analysis of a Membrane Desorber Powered by Thermal Solar Energy for Absorption Cooling Systems

In absorption cooling systems, the desorber is a component that separates the refrigerant fluid from the liquid working mixture, most commonly completed by boiling separation; however, the operation temperature of boiling desorbers is generally higher than the low-enthalpy energy, such as solar, geo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied sciences Vol. 10; no. 3; p. 1110
Main Authors Ibarra-Bahena, Jonathan, Venegas-Reyes, Eduardo, Galindo-Luna, Yuridiana R., Rivera, Wilfrido, Romero, Rosenberg J., Rodríguez-Martínez, Antonio, Dehesa-Carrasco, Ulises
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.02.2020
Subjects
Absorption
Absorption cooling
absorption cooling system
Air conditioning
air gap membrane distillation
Alternative energy sources
Boiling
Cooling
Cooling effects
Cooling systems
Cooling water
Emission standards
Experimental data
Heat
Hydrophobicity
membrane desorber
Membranes
Meteorological data
Refrigerants
Simulation
Solar collectors
Solar energy
Solar power
thermal solar energy
Water temperature
Water vapor
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:In absorption cooling systems, the desorber is a component that separates the refrigerant fluid from the liquid working mixture, most commonly completed by boiling separation; however, the operation temperature of boiling desorbers is generally higher than the low-enthalpy energy, such as solar, geothermal, or waste heat. In this study, we used a hydrophobic membrane desorber to separate water vapor from an aqueous LiBr solution. Influencing factors, such as the H2O/LiBr solution and cooling water temperatures, were tested and analyzed. With the experimental data, a solar collector system was simulated on a larger scale, considering a 1 m2 membrane. The membrane desorber evaluation shows that the desorption rate of water vapor increased as the LiBr solution temperature increased and the cooling water temperature decreased. Based on the experimental data from the membrane desorber/condenser, a theoretical heat load was calculated to size a solar system. Meteorological data from Emiliano Zapata in Mexico were considered. According to the numerical result, nine solar collectors with a total area of 37.4 m2 provide a solar fraction of 0.797. The membrane desorber/condenser coupled to the solar system can provide an average of 16.8 kg/day of refrigerant fluid that can be used to produce a cooling effect in an absorption refrigerant system.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app10031110