Experimental performance investigation of small solar air-conditioning systems with different kinds of collectors and chillers

Abstract

Different types of solar collectors should be integrated with different sorption chillers. Traditional evacuated tube U pipe solar collector, high efficient CPC (Compound Parabolic Concentrating) solar collector and PTC (Parabolic Trough Collector) solar collector can provide 60–85°C, 85–125°C and 125–150°C of hot water. So, they can drive silica gel–water adsorption chillers, single-effect LiBr absorption chillers and double-effect LiBr absorption chillers, respectively. This paper will present the experimental performance investigation and economic analysis of three small solar cooling systems with these different kinds of collectors and chillers. The test results show that the solar COP (Coefficient of Performance) of the solar cooling system with adsorption chiller and U pipe solar collectors is about 0.15 and the silica gel–water adsorption chiller can be driven by 55°C of hot water. The solar COP of the system with CPC solar collector and single effect absorption chiller can reach 0.24 in the sunny weather condition. The solar COP of the solar cooling system with PTC solar collectors is about 0.5 and the double-effect LiBr absorption chiller is more attractive because of its higher solar COP (Coefficient of Performance) and better economy.