Experiment Evaluation Of A Solar Two-Stage Absorption System

Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering, Al-zaytoonah university, Amman

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Abstract

A prime instance of an absorption refrigeration system is a two-stage system, which cools a space in two phases. To attain high efficiency and increased cooling capacity, each stage makes use of a distinct absorber-refrigerant pair. In order to sustain its efficiency, the system efficiently uses the heat that is produced by renewable energy sources. In this work, an experimental evaluation of a two-stage absorption system is carried out. The study was conducted at the site in Aqaba, Jordan, in collaboration with the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce. The system uses solar heaters to heat water, which is then stored in hot water tanks. This hot water is delivered via pipes and pumps to water absorption cooling tanks, where lithium bromide absorbs heat and cools the water. A chiller further cools the chilled water, while a cooling tower dissipates any extra heat. The study focuses on precise temperature control and system adjustments to increase efficiency and compensate for any water loss. Performance evaluation focuses on the coefficient of performance (COP) and cooling capacity. The results show a direct relationship between an increase in the coefficient of performance (COP) and higher temperatures in the absorber, upper generator, and evaporator. At 20 °C absorber temperature, the COP and condenser temperature reach their maximum values of around 1.3 and 32.2 °C, respectively. The maximum COP that can be achieved at different upper generator temperatures is 1.25 at 110 °C. Furthermore, at an evaporator temperature of 8 °C, the cooling capacity reaches 412 kW, and the COP approaches 1.28. These findings are useful for commercial and industrial customers that require efficient cooling, as well as renewable energy advocates, building designers, and regulators interested in supporting sustainable cooling solutions.