Abstract
This thesis presents the investigation into the feasibility of solar assisted vapour compression air conditioning system in providing thermal comfort in Malaysia. Conventional vapour compression air conditioning system consumes large amount of energy which is a clear disadvantage considering the high fuel price and electric tariff. Therefore, this research was intended to develop and integrate solar hybrid system into conventional air conditioning system which provides the same cooling load with considerably less electricity demand. In addition, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is also prepared to facilitate the calculation of refrigerant temperature and energy saving of the system. DC compressor and evacuated tube solar compressor is introduced to assist the electric compressor in compressing the refrigerant, effectively reducing the air conditioning electricity consumption by up to 45%. Meanwhile, during night time, energy saving is only contributed by the DC compressor which reduces electricity consumption by up to 25%. The development and utilization of solar energy reduces the dependency on energy generation from fossil fuel which emits greenhouse gases and worsen the global warming while also pushing Malaysia one step closer to their aim in reducing CO₂ emissions and harnessing renewable energy. Malaysia as a tropical country with average solar radiation of 4500Wh/m² per day, has endless potential in solar energy (Borhanazad, 2013). This project provides technical overview which involves the study of solar energy conversion system and viability of solar hybrid vapour compression air conditioning system under Malaysia climate.
Highlights
The demand of air conditioning has greatly increased since the last decade due to the effect of climate change and global warming
This paper presents the investigation into the feasibility of solar assisted vapour compression air conditioning system in providing thermal comfort in Malaysia
The evacuated tube solar collector which acts as solar compressor is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulated to heat up the refrigerant up to 160°C based on solar radiation data at Universiti Teknologi Petronas
Summary
The demand of air conditioning has greatly increased since the last decade due to the effect of climate change and global warming. Malaysia as a tropical country with average solar radiation of 4500Wh/m2 per day, has endless potential in solar energy [2]. High fuel price and electric tariff makes conventional air conditioner not economical in the long run. Generating electricity from fossil fuel emits greenhouse gases and worsen the global warming. This paper presents the investigation into the feasibility of solar assisted vapour compression air conditioning system in providing thermal comfort in Malaysia. Solar energy is harvested through solar collector which provides part of compression pressure by heating the refrigerant under constant volume, reducing energy consumption by lowering the load on the electric compressor. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach has become a significant tool, to investigate the performance and behaviour of heat transfer phenomena
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