On the Performance of a Solar Driven Absorption Refrigerator

Ali  Fellah; Mouna  Hamed; Ammar Ben  Brahim

doi:10.4236/epe.2014.69024

Ali Fellah, Mouna Hamed, Ammar Ben Brahim

Abstract: An endoreversible model is used to simulate the dynamic behavior of a solar driven absorption refrigerator, the cycle under different operating and design conditions. A global time minimization procedure is performed to reach maximum performances. To evaluate the influence of the cold temperature on the system’s performances, results are carried out for three values of this temperature. They are presented in normalized charts for general applications. The minimum time set point temperature, entropy and maximum refrigeration load are sharp and therefore, are important to be considered for system design.

Keywords: Refrigeration, Solar Energy, Endoreversibility, Optimization, Transient Regime

Cite this paper: Fellah, A. , Hamed, M. and Brahim, A. (2014) On the Performance of a Solar Driven Absorption Refrigerator. Energy and Power Engineering, 6, 278-291. doi: 10.4236/epe.2014.69024.

References

[1] Abdullah, M.O. and Hien, T.C. (2011) Comparative Analysis of Performance and Techno-Economics for a H2O-NH3-H2 Absorption Refrigerator Driven by Different Energy Sources. Applied Energy, 87, 1535-1545.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.10.018

[2] Calise, F., Denticed’Accadia, M. and Vanoli, L. (2011) Thermoeconomic Optimization of Solar Heating and Cooling Systems. Energy Conversion and Management, 52, 1562-1573.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2010.10.025

[3] Bejan, A. and Vargas, J.V.C. (1995) Optimal Allocation of a Heat Exchanger Inventory in Heat Driven Refrigerators. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 38, 2997-3004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(95)00045-B

[4] Chen, J. and Schouten, J.A. (1998) Optimum Performance Characteristics of an Irreversible Absorption Refrigeration System. Energy Conversion and Management, 39, 999-1007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(97)10039-5

[5] Sokolov, M. and Hershgal, D. (1993) Solar-Powered Compression-Enhanced Ejector Air Conditioner. Solar Energy, 51, 183-194.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(93)90095-6

[6] Vargas, J.V.C., Sokolov, M. and Bejan, A. (1996) Thermodynamic Optimization of Solar-Driven Refrigerators. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 118, 130-135.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.2847995

[7] Huang, F.F. (1976) Engineering Thermodynamics. Macmillan, New York.

[8] Bejan, A. (1995) Theory of Heat Transfer-Irreversible Power Plants-II. The Optimal Allocation of Heat Exchange Equipment. Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 38, 433-444.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(94)00184-W

[9] Denton, J.C. (2002) Thermal Cycles in Classical Thermodynamics and Non Equilibrium Thermodynamics in Contrast with Finite Time Thermodynamics. Energy Conversion and Management, 43, 1583-1617.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(02)00074-2

[10] Fellah, A., Khir, T. and Brahim, A.B. (2010) Hierarchical Decomposition and Optimization of Thermal Transformer Performances. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 42, 437-448.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00158-010-0505-y

[11] Bautista, O., Mendez, F. and Cervantes, J.G. (2003) An Endoreversible Three Heat Source Refrigerator with Finite Heat Capacities. Energy Conversion and Management, 44, 1433-1449.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(02)00141-3

[12] Wijeysundera, N.E. (1999) Simplified Models for Solar-Powered Absorption Cooling Systems. Renewable Energy, 16, 679-684.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0960-1481(98)00251-1

[13] Goktun, S. (1997) Optimal Performance of an Irreversible Refrigerator with Three Heat Sources. Energy, 22, 27-31.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0360-5442(96)00090-4

[14] Chen, J. and Wu, C. (1996) The R-? Characteristics of a Three-Heat-Source Refrigeration Cycle. Applied Thermal Engineering, 16, 901-905.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/1359-4311(95)00093-3

[15] Brown, M.W. and Bansal, P.K. (2002) Transient Simulation of Vapour-Compression Packaged Liquid Chillers. International Journal of Refrigeration, 25, 597-610.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-7007(01)00060-3

[16] Vargas, J.V.C., Ordonez, J.C., Dilay, A. and Parise, J.A.R. (2009) Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of a Solar Collector Driven Water Heating and Absorption Cooling Plant. Solar Energy, 83, 1232-1244.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2009.02.004

[17] Hamed, M., Fellah, A. and Ben Brahim, A. (2012) Optimization of a Solar Driven Absorption Refrigerator in the Transient Regime. Applied Energy, 92, 714-724.

[18] Chidambaram, L.A., Ramana, A.S., Kamaraj, G. and Velraj, R. (2011) Review of Solar Cooling Methods and Thermal Storage Options. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15, 3220-3228.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.04.018