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A state-of-the-art review of solar air-conditioning systems

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  • Nkwetta, Dan Nchelatebe
  • Sandercock, Jim

Abstract

To reduce greenhouse gas emission, solar cooling is an attractive and environmentally friendly application since there is a direct match with cooling demand and peak incident solar radiation. In addition, solar absorption refrigeration technologies are regarded as a promising way to meet the growing refrigeration needs related to thermal comfort, vaccines, conservation of foods and medicines as well as crop drying. Presently, two systems in common used are, the single and double effects absorption chillers with the difference between the two systems being the operating temperature range. This comprehensive review looks at the available methods (theoretical modeling/simulation and experimental) that have been used for the powering of single and double effects solar absorption chillers, other solar cooling systems and their merits, system integration, design optimization and cost effectiveness of each system.

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  • Nkwetta, Dan Nchelatebe & Sandercock, Jim, 2016. "A state-of-the-art review of solar air-conditioning systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1351-1366.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:60:y:2016:i:c:p:1351-1366
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.03.010
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    4. Wu, Xi & Xu, Shiming & Jiang, Mengnan, 2018. "Development of bubble absorption refrigeration technology: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3468-3482.
    5. Varga, Szabolcs & Oliveira, Armando C. & Palmero-Marrero, Anna & Vrba, Jakub, 2017. "Preliminary experimental results with a solar driven ejector air conditioner in Portugal," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 83-92.
    6. Herez, Amal & Ramadan, Mohamad & Khaled, Mahmoud, 2018. "Review on solar cooker systems: Economic and environmental study for different Lebanese scenarios," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 421-432.
    7. Inayat, Abrar & Raza, Mohsin, 2019. "District cooling system via renewable energy sources: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 360-373.
    8. Lin Zheng & Wei Zhang & Fei Liang & Shuang Lin & Xiangyu Jin, 2017. "Experimental Studies of Phase Change and Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials in a Cold Storage/Transportation System with Solar Driven Cooling Cycle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-11, November.

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