Thermodynamic performances of a solar driven adsorption system

Abstract

This study examines the thermophysical process of a solar driven adsorption cooling system. The data used for the performance study were taken experimentally during the start-up procedure of a solar collector. The generation of high temperatures inside a solar collector adsorption tube is a challenge due to the intermittent nature of solar radiation. In this present study, a solar collector adsorption tube using granular activated carbon (GAC1, GAC2) and methanol is introduced. The proposed system maintains higher adsorption temperatures up to 117.2°C. The evaporator temperature of the solar adsorption cooling system decreased to −12°C (sunny day) and 0°C (sunny-cloudy days), allowing liquid water converted to solid ice. This result showed that a solar collector filled with granular activated carbon and methanol successfully produces ice inside the solar adsorption cooling system throughout the experiment period. A solar-powered pump circulated the melted ice inside the storage chamber during day time and thus decreased the inside temperature of storage chamber to 15°C and 10°C for shorter and longer durations, respectively.