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Design and Thermo-Economic Comparisons of an Absorption Air Conditioning System Based on Parabolic Trough and Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors

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  • Adil Al-Falahi

    (Institut Energiesysteme und Energietechnik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Otto-Berndt-Straße 2, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Falah Alobaid

    (Institut Energiesysteme und Energietechnik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Otto-Berndt-Straße 2, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Bernd Epple

    (Institut Energiesysteme und Energietechnik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Otto-Berndt-Straße 2, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany)

Abstract

Solar absorption cycles for air conditioning systems have recently attracted much attention. They have some important advantages that aid in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this work, design and thermo-economic analyses are presented in order to compare between two different collector types (parabolic trough and evacuated tube) by water–lithium bromide absorption systems, and to select the best operating conditions. Generally, the system consists of three major parts. The first part is the solar field for thermal power conversion. The second part is the intermediate cycle, which contains a flashing tank and pumping system. The third part is the water lithium bromide absorption chiller. A case study for a sports arena with 700–800 kW total cooling load is also presented. Results reveal that a parabolic trough collector combined with H 2 O–LiBr (PTC/H 2 O–LiBr) gives lower design aspects and minimum rates of hourly costs (USD 5.2/h), while ETC/H 2 O–LiBr configuration give USD 5.6/h. The H 2 O–LiBr thermo-economic product cost is USD 0.14/GJ. The cycle coefficient of performance COP was in the range of 0.5 to 0.9.

Suggested Citation

  • Adil Al-Falahi & Falah Alobaid & Bernd Epple, 2020. "Design and Thermo-Economic Comparisons of an Absorption Air Conditioning System Based on Parabolic Trough and Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-27, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:12:p:3198-:d:373868
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ahmad Saleh, 2022. "Modeling and Performance Analysis of a Solar Pond Integrated with an Absorption Cooling System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-26, November.
    2. Sumol Sae-Heng Pisitsungkakarn & Pichitpon Neamyou, 2022. "Efficiency of Semi-Automatic Control Ethanol Distillation Using a Vacuum-Tube Parabolic Solar Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Alvaro A. S. Lima & Gustavo de N. P. Leite & Alvaro A. V. Ochoa & Carlos A. C. dos Santos & José A. P. da Costa & Paula S. A. Michima & Allysson M. A. Caldas, 2020. "Absorption Refrigeration Systems Based on Ammonia as Refrigerant Using Different Absorbents: Review and Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-41, December.

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