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Study of a New Solar-Powered Combined Absorption–Adsorption Cooling System (ABADS)

  • Research Article-Mechanical Engineering
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Abstract

Sorption cooling technology is considered to be a good alternative to traditional vapor compression cycles regarding energy savings and environmental issues. This technology has to be enhanced to overcome the problem of low efficacy. In this work, a novel solar-powered combined absorption–adsorption cooling system (ABADS) is proposed and investigated under different climatic conditions. The system combines a single-effect LiBr-H2O absorption chiller (ABS) and a single-stage silica gel/water adsorption chiller (ADS) in series configuration. TRNSYS simulation software integrated MATLAB code is used to simulate the solar-driven ABS, ADS, and ABADS mathematical models. Both of ABS and ADS models are validated experimentally with experimental data. Performance comparison between the proposed combined ABADS and the standalone ABS and ADS is also performed. Results shows that the proposed combined ABADS produced average monthly cooling capacity (19.86 kW) higher than that of ABS and ADS by 154.42% and 59.74%, respectively, around typical year. Furthermore, the overall COP (1.17) of ABADS is higher than that of the standalone ABS and ADS by 154.42% and 59.74%, respectively. Under the same hourly weather conditions of June 15 at 16:00 pm, cooling capacity of the ABADS is higher than that of the standalone ABS and ADS by 150% and 66%, respectively. The overall system COP of ABADS (1.16) improved by 60% and by 167% over the standalone ABS and ADS, respectively. In addition, the chilled water production is increased.

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Abbreviations

A :

Area, m2

C p :

Specific heat capacity, J kg-1k

M :

Mass, kg

\({\dot{m}}\) :

Mass flow rate, kg s-1

p s :

Saturated pressure, Pa

U :

Overall heat transfer coefficient, W m-1K

\(\Delta H_{\text{st}}\) :

Isosteric heat of adsorption, J kg-1

Al:

Aluminum

Ac:

Activated carbon (Water III)

Ads:

Adsorption

Cu:

Copper heat transfer tube

Chw:

Chilled water

Cond:

Condenser

Cwa:

Cooling water in adsorber/desorber

Cwc:

Cooling water in condenser

des:

Desorption

eva:

Evaporator

in:

Inlet

out:

Outlet

ref:

Refrigerant

w :

Water

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia

    K. Harby & K. M. Almohammadi

  2. Mechanical Power Engineering and Energy Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, 61519, Minia, Egypt

    K. Harby

Authors
  1. K. Harby
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  2. K. M. Almohammadi
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Correspondence to K. Harby.

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Harby, K., Almohammadi, K.M. Study of a New Solar-Powered Combined Absorption–Adsorption Cooling System (ABADS). Arab J Sci Eng 46, 2929–2945 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-05288-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-05288-7

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