Influence of a compound parabolic concentrator in the performance of a solar diffusion absorption cooling system. (5th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Acuña, A.; Velázquez, N.; Sauceda, D.; Rosales, P.; Suastegui, A.; Ortiz, A.
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 102(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 1374
• Page End: 1383
• Publication Date: 2016-06-05
• Subjects: Diffusion absorption -- CPC -- Solar cooling -- Solar collector; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.03.061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: A diffusion absorption cooling system that uses a CPC as the heat source. LiNO3 and NaSCN absorbent substances and NH3 as a refrigerant. C3 H8 O3 –H2 O, C2 H6 O2 –H2 O and C3 H8 O2 –H2 O were studied as the heat transfer fluid. Abstract: This article presents the performance of a diffusion absorption cooling system that uses a solar compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) as the heat source. The cooling system uses lithium nitrate (LiNO3 ) and sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) absorbent substances, and ammonia (NH3 ) as a refrigerant. The heat transfer fluids between the CPC and the cooling system studied were glycerol–water (C3 H8 O3 –H2 O), ethylene glycol–water (C2 H6 O2 –H2 O) and propylene glycol–water (C3 H8 O2 –H2 O). For the study of the solar cooling system, a mathematical model was developed and a simulator validated with experimental results of a properly designed CPC. The effects of the heat transfer fluid concentration and mass flow rate were evaluated against the coefficient of performance (COP). In addition, the work includes assessing the influence of the solar radiation and the ambient temperature on the solar cooling system COP. According to the results, the best options were the NH3 –LiNO3 working mixture and the C3 H8 O3 –H2 O heat transfer fluid.