Enhancement of Condenser Performance in Vapor Absorption Refrigeration Systems Operating in Arid Climatic Zones—Selection of Best Option

Zakariya Kaneesamkandi (), Abdulaziz Almujahid, Basharat Salim, Abdul Sayeed and Waleed Mohammed AlFadda
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Zakariya Kaneesamkandi: Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Abdulaziz Almujahid: Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Basharat Salim: Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Abdul Sayeed: Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Waleed Mohammed AlFadda: Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: Generators and condensers are the two vital equipment items that determine the output of vapor absorption refrigeration systems. Arid weather conditions produce a significant reduction in the performance of the vapor absorption refrigeration cycle due to low condenser heat dissipation despite high generator temperatures. Although numerous studies on condenser cooling methods in vapor compression systems have been reported in the literature, solar-operated vapor absorption systems have not been studied. Limitations in generator temperatures of solar-operated vapor absorption systems necessitate a focused study in this area. This study makes the selection of the best choice for condenser cooling from among four different condenser cooling methods which have an impact on the performance of the vapor absorption refrigeration system for effective cooling using solar energy. A solar vapor absorption refrigeration system working with low-grade heat using a compound parabolic collector is considered in this study. Analysis of a vapor absorption refrigeration system for cooling in arid weather conditions is carried out using different condenser cooling methods with Engineering Equation Solver. Initially, the model used in the study is compared with a similar study reported in the literature. Techniques considered are air, water, evaporative, and hybrid cooling techniques. The performance of the vapor absorption cooling system was analyzed using experimental values of a solar compound parabolic collector obtained from real-time measurements for simulating the model. Results show that water cooling can provide suitable condenser cooling and improve the coefficient of performance of the solar vapor absorption refrigeration system using the solar collector. The water-cooled condenser has 1.9%, 3.3%, and 2.1% higher COP when compared to air-cooled condensers for spring, summer, and autumn seasons respectively, whereas the water-cooled condenser cooling recorded 6%, 14%, and 8% higher COP relative to the evaporative cooling method. Cost comparison showed maximum cost for water-cooled condensers and minimum cost for hybrid-cooled condensers. The effect of each cooling method on the environment is discussed.

Keywords: solar vapor absorption system; condenser cooling; solar energy; air-cooled condenser; water-cooled condenser; evaporative-cooled condenser; hybrid condenser cooling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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