Thermodynamic analysis and performance of an adsorption refrigeration system driven by solar collector

Abstract

This paper presents the operating and performance of an adsorption refrigeration system driven by a solar collector. The thermodynamic cycle and the working principle of the system are based on the adsorption phenomena at a steady temperature. The system operates with activated carbon (AC)-methanol as a working pair, and Dubinin-Astakhov (D-A) equation was used to describe this phenomena. Comparative study between different types of AC reveals that the one based on stone coal had an optimal performance coefficient (COP) equal to 0.73 whereas a total energy input to the system is 18740.05kJ and a total daily ice production of 13.65kg at -3° C. The studied case indicates that the optimal performance of the system can be obtained for low ambient and condensation temperature with high evaporation temperature. Ice produced can also be improved when the initial water temperature is low.