Design and development of solar-powered adsorption cooling unit

该项目的目标是设计，开发，表征（热经济），并优化一种新的太阳能吸附冷却概念。由常规收集器收集的太阳热能（例如，真空管或平板收集器）可用于吸附制冷循环以有效地代替机械蒸汽压缩。 与传统的冷却装置相比，该设计具有两个关键优势：由于有效利用从太阳能收集的低品位热量而降低了电力消耗，以及最大限度地使用旋转设备。由于环境问题和激增的电力成本，以及对有效的离网冷却和制冷的需求，最近对可再生能源的增长和兴趣（例如，用于船的空调单元）使得所提出的概念特别有前途。 支持所提出的设计的主要机械设计论点是，吸附系统安静、持久且维护经济，因为在压缩循环中没有运动部件。因此，太阳能吸附制冷和空调可以是移动的单元和离网位置的一个很好的解决方案。有一些关于这个概念的出版作品，以及一些在实验室规模上开发的探索性系统;然而，目前还没有现成的太阳能吸附冷却装置用于商业，工业或住宅应用。 通过这项拟议的研究，谢里丹学院（PI：博士阿明Ghobeity，P.工程师）和行业合作伙伴DR HVAC有限公司的目标是开发一种专利的太阳能吸附冷却装置，其范围为6,000 BTU/hr（即，0.5吨）。

The objective of this project is to design, develop, characterize (thermos-economic), and optimize a novel solar adsorption cooling concept. Solar-thermal energy collected by conventional collectors (e.g., evacuated tubes or flat plate collectors) can be used in an adsorption refrigeration cycle to effectively replace the mechanical vapour compression. The proposed design has two key advantages over conventional cooling units: lower electricity consumption attributed to an efficient use of low-grade heat collected from solar energy, and minimal use of rotary equipment. Recent growth and interest in renewable energy sources, due to environmental concerns and the surging electricity costs, and the need for efficient off-grid cooling and refrigeration (e.g., air conditioning units for boats) make the proposed concept particularly promising. The main mechanical design arguments in favour of the proposed design are that sorption systems are quiet, long lasting, and economical to maintain since there are no moving parts in the compression cycle. As such, solar adsorption refrigeration and air conditioning can be a great solution for mobile units and off-grid locations. There are a few published works on the concept, as well as some exploratory systems developed at a lab scale; however, there is currently no off-the-shelf solar adsorption cooling unit for commercial, industrial, or residential applications. Through this proposed research, Sheridan College (PI: Dr. Amin Ghobeity, P.Eng.) and industry partner DR HVAC Ltd. aim to develop a proprietary solar adsorption cooling unit in the range of 6,000 BTU/hr. (i.e., 0.5 ton).