The Non-Tracking Solar Collectors for Solar Air Conditioning System using a Single Effect NH3-H2O Absorption Chiller

Abstract

The novel non-tracking solar collectors are used to operate 17.6 kW single effect NH3-H2O absorption chiller. This solar collector uses a wet metal-to-water contact which can increase the heat transfer capability and can operate efficiently under cloudy condition. The heating system is comprised of 10 solar collectors with total area of 38.4 m2. From the experiment, the outlet temperature of the solar collectors at 120 °C can produce cool water of -3.2 °C. The coefficient of performance (COP) of the absorption chiller was evaluated and found to be 0.40. A comparative performance analysis of the non-tracking solar collectors and commercially available non- concentrating assembly of evacuated tubes also made. The experimental results show the efficiencies based on gross area have no significant difference and the non-tracking solar collector yields higher temperature which is suitable for operating NH3-H2O absorption chiller for air-conditioning as well as refrigerating systems.