Preliminary assessment of parabolic solar trough-driven ammonia-water absorption cooling system for Beirut

The demand for electric power has been increasing due to the increase in population and the development of the cities. Therefore, there is a need to avoid processes that use large amounts of electric power. Ammonia-water absorption systems run by replacing the electric compressor by a thermal-driven unit, for cooling or refrigeration. In this study, Beirut weather conditions are used to estimate the required heat input available from a 42 m(2) parabolic trough concentrating solar collector system that supplies heat to an ammonia refrigeration cycle. The highest COP attained was 0.65 at an evaporator temperature of -5 degrees C. The required storage tank volume was found to be 2.6 m(3) at the maximum available energy in July. The absorption system is seen to be capable of operating all day and night using solar energy in June and July.

Automated summary

The demand for electric power is increasing, which requires processes with lower electricity consumption. Ammonia-water absorption systems can achieve cooling or refrigeration by using thermal-driven units. This study found that a 42 m(2) parabolic trough concentrating solar collector system can provide the necessary heat input for an ammonia refrigeration cycle in Beirut's weather conditions, allowing the system to operate all day and night.