Thermodynamic Investigation of Solar Energy-Driven Diffusion Absorption Refrigeration Cycle

Abstract

The increasing demand of refrigeration and air conditioning with associated consequence of global warming across the world has made it inevitable for scientific community to look for an alternative of conventional energy sources and to minimize effects of CFC’s and HCFC’s on global warming and ozone layer depletion while facilitating the requirements of refrigeration and air conditioning. It is evident that the geographical locations on the earth having ample sunshine have more refrigeration requirements; however, these locations also offer potential opportunity for utilizing solar radiations for solar energy-driven refrigeration systems. This study focuses on the thermodynamic modelling and analysis of solar energy-driven ammonia–water diffusion absorption refrigeration cycle with helium as pressure equalizing inert gas. It is seen that the loss percentage in the coefficient of performance (WPL and WHPL) is 2.8% higher than cooling capacity percentage loss at low generator temperature while there is no marginal drops at higher temperature. It is also found that the generator temperature in the range of 110–150 °C is best suited to produce maximum refrigerating effect.