New solid sorption refrigerator

A solar machine with 1.2 m collection surface was designed and studied to build in future an industrial refrigerator/dryer. It is an adsorption machine with very short (15 min) intermittent cycles that uses the active carbon fibre Busofit- ammonia air. The system management consists only in actuating the special type valves to change the heating circuit and water valves to change the water cooling circuit. The results show that, with a solar collector efficiency comprised between 0,5 and 0,6 it is possible to obtain a high solar COP 0.3-0.4. There is considerable scope for the application of such a hybrid gas(electricity) / solar-adsorption systems where intermittent ,or low solar insulation currently restricts their use. Such a working fluid and energy sources are attractive on environmental grounds. Calculations for a combined refrigeration and power-generation system operating on gas/solar energy shows that a COP of 0.75 is achievable. Further increases in performance may be realised using multi-effect systems. The research into the economical viability of such systems is required to assess their commercial potentials. Such research should take into account an anticipated changes in legislation governing the use and manufacture of conventional refrigerators.