PERFORMANCE OF SOLAR-ASSISTED ABSORPTION CYCLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Abstract

A study of the efficiency of the cycle of solar assisted absorption air conditioning system has been carried out. The absorption cycle system has been in operation in Malaysia, but only in large buildings such as the KL International Airport, government buildings in Putrajaya and KLCC buildings. This study focuses on a small-scale lithium-bromide (LiBr) absorption cycle air conditioning system for residential application. The important component of the system has been designed with the capacity of 3.517 kW cooling load suitable for small-capacity application. Generator, condenser, evaporator and absorber have been designed, fabricated, assembled and tested in the laboratory. A total of ninety-pieces of evacuated tube solar collectors have been installed to produce hot water to be used as a heat source to separate the absorbent and refrigerant. Lithium bromide-water pair was used in this experiment. With the concentration of lithium bromide of 33%, the average coefficient of performance (COP) obtained was 0.446, 0.438 and 0.431 for category A, category B and category C respectively. This study shows that the cycle of solar absorption air conditioning system in small scale can be used in Malaysia and tropical climate countries.