Investigation on the Performance of Solar Thermal-Powered Vapor Absorption Refrigeration System Integrated with Phase Change Material for Vaccine Storage

Abstract

A vapour absorption refrigeration system is a type of refrigeration system that uses thermal energy as a source of power. This study has investigated the performance of a solar thermal powered vapour absorption refrigeration system integrated with phase change materials for vaccine storage based on the required refrigeration capacity of Mukiye Haro rural health center. This system contains parabolic trough solar collector and single-effect vapour absorption refrigeration system with NH3-H2O as the working fluid where ammonia is refrigerant and water is absorbent. This study is developed first by determining the cooling capacity of the selected area, design the major components of both parabolic trough solar collector and single-effect vapour absorption refrigeration system, constructing the prototype by integrating phase change materials and lastly, experimentally tested the prototype. From the data collected, 8707.5CM3 cold chain capacity is required and based on the required capacity the cooling capacity is calculated to be 0.26 kW. Maximum coefficient of performance of the system is determined from analyses made between varies absorber and generator temperature for constant condenser and evaporator temperatures. According to the analysis, the maximum coefficient of performance of 0.66 is obtained at 75 and 25℃ generator and absorber temperatures respectively, for a constant condenser temperature of 30℃ and a refrigerant temperature in the evaporator coil of -2℃ to keep the evaporator temperature at 5℃. Also, the coefficient of performance was calculated from the experimental result using the average temperature of system components recorded during the experiment and its value was 0.6. Parabolic trough solar collector is designed and fabricated for delivering the required energy of 0.39 kW to the generator and the average outlet temperature, useful energy gain and thermal efficiency of parabolic trough solar collector in representative day of the month in the year is 78.4℃, 0.414 kW and 73 % respectively. Finally, the phase change material stored in the generator continuously the system at required temperature for three hours after the outlet solar collector temperature is reduced below the required temperature in the system.

A Vapour Absorption Refrigeration System Is A Type Of Refrigeration System That Uses Thermal Energy As A Source Of Power. This Study Has Investigated The Performance Of A Solar Thermal Powered Vapour Absorption Refrigeration System Integrated With Phase Change Materials For Vaccine Storage Based On The Required Refrigeration Capacity Of Mukiye ?Haro Rural Health Center. This System Contains Parabolic Trough Solar Collector And Single-Effect Vapour Absorption Refrigeration System With Nh3-H2o As The Working Fluid Where Ammonia Is Refrigerant And Water Is Absorbent. This Study Is Developed First By Determining The Cooling Capacity Of The Selected Area, Design The Major Components Of Both Parabolic Trough Solar Collector And Single-Effect Vapour Absorption Refrigeration System, Constructing The Prototype By Integrating Phase Change Materials And Lastly, Experimentally Tested The Prototype. From The Data Collected, 8707.5cm3Cold Chain Capacity Is Required And Based On The Required Capacity The Cooling Capacity Is Calculated To Be 0.26 Kw. Maximum Coefficient Of Performance Of The System Is Determined From Analyses Made Between Varies Absorber And Generator Temperature For Constant Condenser And Evaporator Temperatures. According To The Analysis, The Maximum Coefficient Of Performance Of 0.66 Is Obtained At 75 And 25??? Generator And Absorber Temperatures Respectively, For A Constant Condenser Temperature Of 30??? And A Refrigerant Temperature In The Evaporator Coil Of -2??? To Keep The Evaporator Temperature At 5???. Also, The Coefficient Of Performance Was Calculated From The Experimental Result Using The Average Temperature Of System Components Recorded During The Experiment And Its Value Was 0.6. Parabolic Trough Solar Collector Is Designed And Fabricated For Delivering The Required Energy Of 0.39 Kw To The Generator And The Average Outlet Temperature, Useful Energy Gain And Thermal Efficiency Of Parabolic Trough Solar Collector In Representative Day Of The Month In The Year Is 78.4???, 0.414 Kw And 73 % Respectively. Finally, The Phase Change Material Stored In The Generator Continuously The System At Required Temperature For Three Hours After The Outlet Solar Collector Temperature Is Reduced Below The Required Temperature In The System.