This paper investigates the technical feasibility of using a compact, air-cooled, solar-assisted, absorption air conditioning system in Puerto Rico and similar regions. Computer simulations were conducted to evaluate the system’s performance when subjected to dynamic cooling loads. Within the computer model, heat and mass balances are conducted on each component of the system, including the solar collectors, thermal storage tank, the air-cooled condenser, and the air-cooled absorber. Guidance on component design and insight into the effects of such operating factors as ambient air temperature were gained from exercizing the simulation model. Comparisons are made with an absorption air conditioning system that uses a cooling tower instead of air-cooled components. The particular absorption system of study is one that uses lithium bromide and water as the absorbent and refrigerant, respectively. The heat input to the absorption system generator is provided by an array of flat plate collectors that are coupled to a thermal storage tank. Systems having nominal cooling capacities of 10.5, 14, and 17.5 kW were considered. Useful information about the number of collectors needed, storage tank volume, and efficiency of the overall system is presented.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
solar absorber-convertors, solar heating, air conditioning, cooling, heat transfer, mass transfer, engineering computing, thermal energy storage
Topics:
Absorption, Air conditioning, Condensers (steam plant), Cooling, Simulation, Solar collectors, Solar energy, Stress, Temperature, Machinery, Storage tanks, Water, Flow (Dynamics)
1.
Meza, J. I., Khan, A. Y., and Gonza´lez, J. E., 1998, “Experimental Assessment of a Solar-Assisted Air Conditioning System for Applications in the Caribbean,” Proc. of the Solar Engineering 1998 Conf., Albuquerque, NM, pp. 149–154.
2.
Tongu S., Makino, Y., Ohnishi, K., and Nakatsugawa, S., 1993, “Practical Operating of Small-Sized Air-Cooled Double Effect Absorption Chiller-Heater by Using Lithium Bromide and Aqueous,” Int. Heat Pump Conf., ASME, AES-Vol 31.
3.
Gonza´lez, J. E. and Khan, A. Y., “Solar-Assisted Air Conditioning System for Applications in Puerto Rico,” Final Report 96-311 of the Urban Consortium Energy Task Force.
4.
ASHRAE 93-1986, “Methods of Testing to Determine the Thermal Performance of Solar Collectors,” ASHRAE, Atlanta, GA.
5.
Mele´ndez, L., 2000, “Automation and Control of Solar Air Conditioning Systems,” M.S. thesis, Univ. of Puerto Rico-Mayagu¨ez.
6.
Kreider, J. and Rabl, A., 1994, Heating and Cooling of Buildings, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York.
7.
Kays, W. M. and London, A. L., 1984, Compact Heat Exchangers, Third Ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York.
8.
Herna´ndez, H., 1997, “Analysis and Modeling of a Solar-Assisted Air Conditioning and Dehumidification System for Applications in Puerto Rico,” M.S. thesis, Univ. of Puerto Rico-Mayagu¨ez.
9.
Pe´rez
,
R. R.
,
Seals
,
R.
,
Ineichen
,
P.
,
Stewart
,
R.
, and
Menicucci
,
D.
,
1987
, “
A new Simplified Version of the Perez Diffuse Irradiance Model for Tilted Surfaces
,”
Sol. Energy
39
, pp.
221
–
231
.
10.
ASHRAE, 1993, ASHRAE Handbook-Fundamentals, ASHRAE Atlanta, GA.
11.
Herna´ndez H., Gonza´lez, J. E., and Khan, A. Y., 1997, “A Parametric Study of Solar Assisted Air Conditioning and Dehumidification Systems Operating in the Caribbean Region,” Proc. of Solar Engineering 1997 Conf., Washington, D.C., pp. 327–333.
Copyright © 2002
 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.