Design and Thermal Evaluation of Hybrid Split Solar Air Conditioner in Mosul/Iraq

Abstract

In this paper, we conducted an experimental study to study the improvement of the coefficient of performance of a hybrid solar air conditioner and compare it with the performance of a conventional air conditioner. In addition to studying the rate of electrical energy savings for the hybrid system. The study included the study of the factors and variables affecting the performance of the hybrid solar air conditioner during three continuous months (June, July, and August). The hybrid solar air conditioner consisted of a conventional R-410a split air conditioner with cooling capacity (12,000 BTU) and a variable speed compressor integrated with a solar collector. The solar collector consists of a flat solar panel combined with a hot water storage tank. Inside the tank there is a copper coil heat exchanger, inside which the refrigerant leaving the compressor of the hybrid solar air conditioner passes. Two solenoid valves were installed to control the flow direction of the refrigerant leaving the compressor either to the solar heat exchanger and then to the condenser or directly to the condenser. The results showed that the highest improvement in the coefficient of performance of the hybrid solar air conditioner without refrigerant flow direction control - first case, and hybrid solar air conditioner with refrigerant flow direction control - second case are (12.2% and 16.3%) respectively compared to a conventional air conditioner, and that the highest rate of electrical energy savings for the solar hybrid air conditioner - the first and second cases are (15.9% and 18.7%) respectively compared to a conventional air conditioner.