Transient simulation and design parameters optimization of a cold store utilizes solar assisted adsorption refrigeration system

Abstract

Storing of products at their recommended storage temperature plays a vital role in products cost estimation especially in hot and humid climate. In this paper, a simulation of a solar assisted adsorption refrigeration system utilized in cold stores applications is carried out for hot-humid and hot-dry climatic conditions. Then an optimization based on the system design parameters have been performed to get the optimal system performance and maximum solar fraction. Finally, the optimized system performance characteristics have been evaluated monthly at different product storage temperatures for different climatic conditions. Reported results revealed that, an optimum solar collector area of 40 m2, storage tank volume of 1.5 m3 and collector flow rate 1000 kg/h are required to achieve an annual solar fraction of 0.79. Based on the annual system performance, SF and COP increase as cold store temperature increase for both climatic conditions. In fact, hot-dry climate has higher SF and COP at 13 °C than hot-humid by 6% and 11%, respectively. Furthermore, the economic assessment of the proposed system showed that the minimum LCOC of 0.203 USD/kWh is found at hot-dry climate at cold store temperature of 18 °C while the highest LCOC of 0.485 USD/kWh occurred at hot-humid environment at 13 °C.

Keywords

• Adsorption system
• Transient simulation
• Cold store
• Optimization
• Primary energy ratio