Title: Simulation of a solar absorption air conditioning system for a tropical wet region in Brazil

Authors: Luan Kaique Bastos; Antonio Gabriel Souza Almeida

Addresses: Academic Department of Mechanical Technology, Federal Institute of Bahia, Emidio dos Santos St., Salvador, Bahia, Brazil ' Academic Department of Mechanical Technology, Federal Institute of Bahia, Emidio dos Santos St., Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract: The objective of the present study is to simulate and verify the technical feasibility of an absorption cooling system powered by solar energy for air conditioning as part of an administrative building in a Brazilian tropical wet region. The project consists of an H₂O/LiBr single-effect absorption chiller associated to flat plate collectors and a thermal storage tank. Salvador, a coastal city in NE Brazil, was selected as the meteorological reference for the calculations. The results showed that a flat plate collector field with an area of 331 m² can provide 47.2% of the power required by the chiller to produce 48.6 kW of cooling and meet the demand of the conditioned space. Without the thermal storage tank, the same solar system provides only 29.7% of the required power. The proposed system cannot be solar alone and must be assisted by another thermal energy source.

Keywords: air conditioning; absorption cooling; solar refrigeration; solar collectors; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2024.136009

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2024 Vol.20 No.1, pp.35 - 46

Accepted: 11 May 2022
Published online: 12 Jan 2024 *

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