Development of a solar-powered vapour absorption cooling system

Abstract

In this paper, performance evaluation of a developed Solar-Powered Vapor Absorption Refrigeration (VAR) System using the NH3-H2O solution as working fluid is done. The cooling system has total storage space of 0.038 m3 with capacity to accommodate about 0.04 metric tonnes (40kg) of items such as to cool water and other drinks for human comfort applicable in rural regions where electricity is unreliable or non-existent. A solar Photovoltaic (PV) panel of 300W, 40W Direct Current (DC) heating element with a 20A solar controller were designed to power the developed cooling system. Measurements of important operational parameters such as the generator, ambient, evaporator, cabinet and condenser temperatures were studied and measured from the system. Performance evaluation of the system refrigerating capacity was determined in terms of its cooling performance (COP) and the system efficiency ratio (ƞ) based on no load and on load conditions. The system when tested has COP of 0.1275 at an average cabinet temperature (Tr) of 9.0 ℃ against an average room temperature of 25.8 ℃. Additionally, the system had an overall refrigerating efficiency ratio of 8.25. The performance test results revealed that the developed cooling system performed well in terms of temperature regulation for refrigeration purposes