Design and fabrication of solar air conditioning through vapor absorption cycle

Solar energy is very large, inexhaustible and most available forms of energy on the Earth?s surface. Solar energy unlike fossil fuel and nuclear energy, it is free and available in adequate quantities in almost all parts of the world. There are two ways to get power from sun. One is Photo Voltaic ce

Project Title

Design and fabrication of solar air conditioning through vapor absorption cycle

Project Area of Specialization

Mechatronics Engineering

Project Summary

Solar energy is very large, inexhaustible and most available forms of energy on the Earth’s surface. Solar energy unlike fossil fuel and nuclear energy, it is free and available in adequate quantities in almost all parts of the world. There are two ways to get power from sun. One is Photo Voltaic cell and the other is concentrated solar radiations. The roots of absorption technology can be traced to the mid of 17th century. The period after the second world war is known as the Golden age of the absorption system. The sale of absorption system reached to peak in 1969 in US. Nowadays Japan, China, India and Korea have very important role in distributing the absorption system to the world. Nowadays the absorption system is used for the capacity of 150 to 5000 tons of refrigeration.

The vapor compression air conditioning system needs electric power to run. In summertime when there is no electric power or load during the daytime, so the compression air conditioning system is difficult to be operate. It is also difficult to run the compression cycle on solar PV cell because it requires large area to install, and a PV cell produces less electric power.

If we focus the solar radiation through a lens/mirror, then it will give us a heat energy. That heat energy can be used to heat up the strong solution in generator. The vapor generated contains ammonia gas and water vapours. To separate water vapour from ammonia gas the generated vapours goes to analyser, where water can be removed from gas. The separated ammonia gas goes to condenser where it drops temperature up to environmental conditions. After condenser gas goes to expansion valve for throttling where pressure drop occur. The throttled gas goes to evaporator for desired cooling. After cooling the gas mixes with weak solution in absorber which comes from generator.

A series of motors and Arduino can be used to trace the solar radiation and detract in case of excessive heat. A small pump can be used to pump the solution to the generator from the absorber. A PV cell can be used to run the small pump, motors and Arduino.

Project Objectives

Pakistan have energy crisis so; we must save energy as possible. The objectives of that project are to save electric energy, and to use that energy where it is needed. During peak hours of the day a cooling load is at peak. Due to which compression machines consume large electric energy. So, using vapor absorption technology we can save large amount of electric energy, and that energy can be given to industries. It can be installed in large building’s for cooling. On a small scale for residential purposes 3 to 10 tons of cooling capacity machines can be installed. So heavy electric loads can be reduced.

In summer the temperature reaches up to 45 0C which is high. For the lower-class families or poor families, it is difficult to pay costly bills due to vapor compression air conditioning. It is very difficult to live without air conditioning system in summer because of high temperature. During daytime the temperature is very high, so it is very difficult to spent time without comfortable temperature.

The operation of vapor absorption technology by solar radiation is completely free during daytime. So, everyone can use it.

Project Implementation Method

It can be implemented on large scale for the cooling capacity of 5000 tons. It can also be implemented for the household i-e for 3 tons. An industry can be built for the production of vapor absorption system on every scale.

Benefits of the Project

It can save a lot of energy which can be used for the useful purposes. It can also save high billing cost. The refrigerant which we are using is environment friendly. Everyone, if they are poor or rich can use that technology because of no running cost.

If 200 tons of compression air conditioning system run by electricity for one hour. So, it costs 700 units. Which is much expensive. The office time in Pakistan is from 8 am to 4 pm. During these hours the solar radiations are extensively available. The use of electric air conditioning system in government office building for continuous 8 hours, it will cost 5600 units.

If we use vapor absorption system rather than electric compression system for a government office, then it will save a lot of electric energy and cost.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The generator, absorber and analyser will be made up of steel. The condenser must be made up of aluminium. The evaporator will be constructed from silver.

Ammonia is toxic in nature. This refrigerant attacks copper & bronze in the presence of a little moisture but does not corrode iron and steel. Boiling point of ammonia is -330C and freezing point is -770C.

Capacity of system = 3TR(10.548KW)
Temperature of the evaporator, TE = 2?
Generator or condenser pressure, PH = 10.7 bar
Evaporator pressure, PL = 4.7 bar
Temperature of the Condenser, TC = 54?
Temperature of the Absorber, TA = 52?
Temperature of the Generator, TG = 120?  

Mass flow of refrigerant MR = 10.341 gm/sec

Mass flow of solution MS = 155.115 gm/sec

A lens, Arduino mega and motors should be used to focus the continuous sun light on generator.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Others

Other Industries

Energy

Core Technology

Clean Tech

Other Technologies

Robotics

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com