Gershon Grossman

Solar-powered systems for cooling, dehumidification and air-conditioning

Abstract This paper describes current trends in solar-powered air conditioning, which has seen renewed interest in recent years due to the growing awareness of global warming and other environmental problems. Closed-cycle heat-powered cooling devices are based mainly on absorption chillers, a proven technology employing LiBr–water as the working fluid pair. Recent developments in gas-fired systems of this type make available double- and triple-effect chillers with considerably higher COP than their single-effect counterparts, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of solar heat required per kW of cooling. These systems require, however, high-temperature solar collectors. The principles of multi-staging absorption systems are described. An economic comparison is provided which shows the total system cost to be dominated by the solar part of the system. At current prices, the high COP, high temperature alternative is still more costly than the low temperature one. Open-cycle desiccant systems employing either solid or liquid sorbents are described. While the main thrust in research on novel closed-cycle absorption systems has been toward increasing the operating temperature in order to improve efficiency through multi-staging, open-cycle absorption and desiccant systems have been developed for use with low temperature heat sources such as flat plate solar collectors. A novel open-cycle (DER) system is described, which makes it possible to use the solar heat at relatively low temperatures, for producing both chilled water and cold, dehumidified air in variable quantities, as required by the load.

A packed bed dehumidifier/regenerator for solar air conditioning with liquid desiccants

Abstract A packed column air-liquid contactor has been studied in application to air dehumidification and regeneration in solar air conditioning with liquid desiccants. A theoretical model has been developed to predict the performance of the device under various operating conditions. Computer simulations based on the model are presented which indicate the practical range of air to liquid flux ratios and associated changes in air humidity and desiccant concentration. An experimental apparatus has been constructed and experiments performed with Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) and Lithium Bromide as desiccants. MEG experiments have yielded inaccurate results and have pointed out some practical problems associated with the use of Glycols. LiBr experiments show very good agreement with the theoretical model. Preheating of the air is shown to greatly enhance desiccant regeneration. The packed column yields good results as a dehumidifier/regenerator, provided pressure drop can be reduced with the use of suitable packing.

Experiments with a flat plate solar water heating system in thermosyphonic flow

Abstract A typical Israeli water heating system in thermosyphonic-flow was tested. The system consisted of two flat plate collectors painted matt black connected in parallel and a 140 l. storage tank. Total surface area of the collectors, employing the parallel flow pattern, was about 3 m 2 and they were tilted about 35° relative to the horizon. All collector pipes and connecting tubes were made of galvanized steel. The underside collector plate, collector tubes and storage tank were equipped with thermo-couples. A specially designed flow meter was used to measure water flow rate. Results show relatively linear temperature distributions both along the collectors and in the storage tank when no water consumption was allowed. Water flow rate was found to essentially follow solar radiation and reached a maximum of about 950 cm 3 /min. This value was found to be about 33 per cent smaller than the one predicted by an analytical model developed by the authors. It was also observed that shutting the system off during the afternoon hours, when losses to the environment are enhanced, might increase system efficiency.

ABSIM — modular simulation of advanced absorption systems

Abstract The computer code ABSIM has been developed for simulation of absorption systems in a flexible and modular form, making it possible to investigate various cycle configurations with different working fluids. Based on a user-supplied cycle diagram, working fluid specification and given operating conditions, the program calculates the temperature, flowrate, concentration, pressure and vapor fraction at each state point in the system and the heat duty at each component. The modular structure of the code is based on unit subroutines containing the governing equations for the systems components. A main program calling these subroutines links the components together according to the cycle diagram. The system of equations for the entire cycle is thus established, and a mathematical solver routine is employed to solve them simultaneously. Property subroutines contained in a separate database serve to provide thermodynamic properties of the working fluids. ABSIM has been employed over the past decade by many users worldwide to simulate a variety of absorption systems in different multi-effect configurations and working fluids. The paper will describe the current capabilities of the program and recent improvements made in it. Improvements to the method of cycle specification and solution have enhanced considerably the convergence capability with large and complex cycles. Additional units and working fluids have been added, resulting in much-enhanced simulation capability and applicability. A Windows version has recently been developed with an improved user-interface, which enhances user-friendliness considerably. It makes it possible to create the cycle diagram on the computer screen, supply the data interactively, observe the results superimposed on the cycle diagram and plot them. The paper describes examples of simulation results for several rather complex cycles, including lithium bromide–water double-, triple- and quadruple-effect cycles and ammonia–water GAX, branched GAX and vapor exchange (VX) cycles.

Heat-transfer enhancement by additives

Abstract A workshop on heat-transfer enhancement by additives in absorption processes was held last year at the Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research (ZAE Bayern) in Garching, Germany, in collaboration with the Technical University Munchen. The workshop was the first in a series of Munchen Discussion Meetings, designed to bring together a limited number of researchers active in specific fields in order to facilitate not only presentations of research results but also discussion of related issues and problems. The specific purpose of the present workshop has been to establish the current state of knowledge in the area of transfer enhancement by additives and bring forth the outstanding problems so as to formulate research needs. During the 2 days of the workshop, 14 papers were presented and discussions were conducted by 34 participants from eight countries. At the conclusion of the workshop it was stated that well-known additives contribute a significant increase of heat and mass transfer in liquid sorption systems. However, from a fundamental point of view almost nothing is satisfactorily explained. On the one hand, in solid sorption systems the basic understanding of the combined heat- and mass-transfer processes seems to be better, on the other hand, the best means for enhancement is disputed much more controversially. This paper is a summary of the presentations and discussions during the Munchen Discussion Meeting with the main emphasis on liquid sorption systems.

Comparative simulation and investigation of ammonia-water: absorption cycles for heat pump applications

Abstract Several recent programs in absorption research have focused on technology for domestic heating and cooling utilizing natural gas. In residential and small commercial size applications, ammonia-water cycles offer the possibility of a gas-fired heat pump for both winter heating and summer cooling, at better year-round COPS than currently available by various alternatives. Several cycles have been considered for this purpose, ranging from the simplest single effect to the GAX (Generator-Absorber heat eXchange) with its different variations. Detailed calculations of ammonia-water systems are rather difficult, particularly in complex cycles such as the GAX. This may be the reason that relatively few simulation studies have been published to date that give more than design point performance. The objective of the present study has been a comprehensive investigation of various ammonia-water cycles, with operating conditions and different design parameters varied over a wide range to compare their performance. To this end, a modular simulation program (ABSIM) was employed, which makes it possible to simulate absorption cycles in varying configurations. The cycles investigated increase in complexity from the basic single-effect cycle, through the same cycle with an added precooler, through an added solution-cooled absorber and solution-heated generator, to the GAX and branched GAX cycles with different types of branching. Each cycle was formed on the basis of the previous one by adding one or two components at each stage, resulting in increasing complexity rewarded by improved performance. This kind of investigation enabled determination at each stage of the influence of the added components on the cycle. The results of the investigation show cooling CON ranging from about 0.5 for the simplest single-effect cycle to about 1.0 for the GAX cycle.

A Liquid Desiccant System for Solar Cooling and Dehumidification

The growing demand for air conditioning, particularly in hot and humid climates has caused a significant increase in demand for energy resources. A promising solar technology with potential to alleviate the problem is an open absorption system, where humidity is absorbed directly from the air to be treated by direct contact with the absorbent. The absorbent is then regenerated, again in direct contact with an external air stream, at relatively low temperatures of the heat source. The paper describes a study of a liquid desiccant cooling system designed to air-condition a group of offices on the top floor of a building in the Mediterranean city of Haifa, Israel. The system is capable of using as its source of power low-grade solar heat, of the type obtainable from low-cost flat plate collectors, and has a potential to provide both cooling and dehumidification in variable ratios, as required by the load. Several cycle variations have been considered, corresponding to different design options. A parametric study shows that entrance conditions of the ambient air significantly affect the heat and mass transfer occurring during the dehumidification process. The temperatures and flow rates of the heating and cooling water and the flow rates of solution through the dehumidifier and regenerator affect the humidity of the supply air delivered to the conditioned space, and show an optimum in certain cases.

Experimental Investigation of a LiCl-Water Open Absorption System for Cooling and Dehumidification

In earlier work, a novel open absorption cycle was proposed, capable of producing both cooling and dehumidification for air conditioning, utilizing low-grade heat. The system, referred to as DER (Dehumidifier-Evaporator-Regenerator), uses ambient air in conjunction with an absorbent solution; the air is dehumidified and then employed to produce chilled water in an evaporative cooler. Alternatively, a portion of the dehumidified air may be used directly for air conditioning purposes. The system thus has the potential to provide both cooling and dehumidification in variable ratios, as required by the load. Computer simulations and theoretical investigations were carried out to analyze and predict the performance of the system. The objective of the present study has been to construct a laboratory system to test the concept, identify problems and carry out preliminary design optimization. The characteristic performance of individual components, analyzed theoretically in the simulation, was studied experimentally. Measurements have provided much-needed realistic data about heat and mass transfer coefficients. The performance of the system has been studied under varying operating conditions. The paper describes the operation of the experimental system and presents the measured data and the resulting transfer coefficients.

The natural circulation solar heater-models with linear and nonlinear temperature distributions

L, dimensionless length; L~, overall length of the circulation loop; Q, dimensionless volumetric flow rate; q, dimensionless heat flux per unit length; q0, dimensionless solar radiation heat flux per unit length, absorbed in the collector plate; s, dimensionless coordinate along the circulation loop; T, dimensionless temperature above the ambient; T , dimensionless highest temperature in the system [T~(L~)]; Tin, dimensionless mean temperature of the system; 7~,.~, maximum possible temperature; AT, dimensionless temperature difference along the collector and the tank; U, overall heat-transfer coefficient (per unit length); UL, U, = ^ ~, dimensmnless overall heat-transfer pcpA V coefficient;

Solar cooling and air conditioning

Abstract The possibility of providing cooling and air conditioning by means of energy from the sun has attracted Mans attention since the early development of solar technology. This article attempts to describe the present state of the art in solar cooling technology. A survey is given of the vast amount of research, development and engineering work done to date in this field. The various approaches to solar cooling and the different operating systems are considered, including heat engine driven vapor compression, absorption, ejector and desiccant cooling. A comparison between the different methods and processes is given and the appropriate applications are discussed.