TECHNICAL SEMINAR ON “ SOLAR COOLING” UNDER THE GUIDENCE OF PRESENTED BY ASSISTANT PROFESSOR NAGARAJA C MANJU T 1RR15ME060 INTRODUCTION Solar air conditioning refers to any air conditioning (cooling) system that uses solar power. This can be done through passive solar, solar thermal energy conversion and photovoltaic conversion (sunlight to electricity). The U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007[1] created 2008 through 2012 funding for a new solar air conditioning research and development program, which should develop and demonstrate multiple new technology innovations and mass production economies of scale. Solar air conditioning will play an increasing role in zero energy and energy-plus buildings design. Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available renewable energy on earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used. Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the energy. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air. HISTORY in the late 19th century, the most common fluid for absorption cooling was a solution of ammonia and water. Today, the combination of lithium bromide and water is also in common use. One end of the system of expansion/condensation pipes is heated, and the other end gets cold enough to make ice. Originally, natural gas was used as a heat source in the late 19th century. Today, propane is used in recreational vehicle absorption chiller refrigerators. Hot water solar thermal energy collectors can also be used as the modern "free energy" heat source. A National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sponsored report in 1976 surveyed solar energy system applications of air conditioning. Techniques discussed included both solar powered (absorption cycle and heat engine / Rankine cycle) and solar related (heat pump) along with an extensive bibliography of related literature. Thermal Solar Cooling Techniques Absorption cooling techniques: Energy is transferred through phase-change processes. Adsorption cooling techniques Energy is transferred through phase-change processes. Desiccant Cooling Energy is transferred through latent heat processes.
“The cooling capacity is based on the physical properties of the cooling
fluid that will change phases. At different temperatures, depending on its pressure.” Absorption cooling The absorption refrigerator is a refrigerator that uses a heat source (e.g., solar, kerosene-fueled flame) to provide the energy needed to drive the cooling system. The principle can also be used to air-condition buildings using the waste heat from a gas turbine or water heater. Using waste heat from a gas turbine makes the turbine very efficient because it first produces electricity, then hot water, and finally, air-conditioning (called cogeneration/trigeneration). Principles Both absorption and compressor refrigerators use a refrigerant with a very low boiling point (less than −18 °C (0 °F)). In both types, when this refrigerant evaporates (boils), it takes some heat away with it, providing the cooling effect. The main difference between the two systems is the way the refrigerant is changed from a gas back into a liquid so that the cycle can repeat. An absorption refrigerator changes the gas back into a liquid using a method that needs only heat, and has no moving parts other than the refrigerant itself. The absorption cooling cycle can be described in three phases: Evaporation: A liquid refrigerant evaporates in a low partial pressure environment, thus extracting heat from its surroundings (e.g. the refrigerator's compartment). Because of the low partial pressure, the temperature needed for evaporation is also low. Absorption: The now gaseous refrigerant is absorbed by another liquid (e.g. a salt solution). Regeneration: The refrigerant-saturated liquid is heated, causing the refrigerant to evaporate out. The hot gaseous refrigerant passes through a heat exchanger, transferring its heat outside the system (such as to surrounding ambient-temperature air), and condenses. The condensed (liquid) refrigerant supplies the evaporation phase. Absorption cooling process Water spray absorption refrigeration Another variant, uses air, water, and a salt water solution. The intake of warm, moist air is passed through a sprayed solution of salt water. The spray lowers the humidity but does not significantly change the temperature. The less humid, warm air is then passed through an evaporative cooler, consisting of a spray of fresh water, which cools and re-humidifies the air. Humidity is removed from the cooled air with another spray of salt solution, providing the outlet of cool, dry air. The salt solution is regenerated by heating it under low pressure, causing water to evaporate. The water evaporated from the salt solution is re-condensed, and rerouted back to the evaporative cooler. ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR COOLING Dramatic increase of air conditioning since the early 80ies • Cost of energy. • Issues related to environmental pollution. -Due to energy production. -Due to the use of CFC’s and HCFC’s. • Matches demand with source availability. • Crucial for improving life standards in developing countries. Disadvantages of Solar Cooling Weather-dependant Tracking the sun Limited power supply Expensive batteries High set-up cost Cleaning Easily broken APPLICATIONS SOLAR WATER HEATER SOLAR THERMAL POWER PHOTOVOLTAIC(PV)SOLAR COOLING(SOLAR AIR CONDITIONING) SOLAR THERMAL COOLING ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS FIT PROGRAM