Modeling of a thermal adsorber powered by solar energy for refrigeration applications

A. Allouhi, T. Kousksou, A. Jamil and Y. Zeraouli

Energy, 2014, vol. 75, issue C, 589-596

Abstract: In this paper, we introduce a dynamic model of a thermal adsorber powered by solar energy. The system operates with silica gel (as an adsorbent) and water (as a refrigerant). The Finite Difference approximation was used; the obtained numerical model was then incorporated in a MATLAB code in order to solve the system of algebraic equations modeling heat and mass transfers. The real ambient temperature and solar radiation variations relative to a typical summer day in Fez (Morocco) are taken into account. The system is characterized by its simple design and can reach a SCOP (Solar Coefficient of Performance) of 0.15 under a condenser and evaporator temperatures of 27 °C and 5 °C respectively. Consequently, this installation can be an attractive solution to meet positive cooling needs (medicine and food storage) in off-grid electricity regions. It can be also proposed in humanitarian actions in Africa.

Keywords: Thermal adsorber; Solar energy; Adsorption; Simulation; Refrigeration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:75:y:2014:i:c:p:589-596

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2014.08.022

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