Modelling and performance assessment of a Tri–Generation cooling system using two adsorption chillers under Jordanian climate

Abstract

In this study, the performance of a Tri-Generation cooling system employing two adsorption chillers will be analysed experimentally and theoretically utilizing the TRNSYS software. The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of two adsorption chillers and to evaluate how operational and design factors affect the performance of the tri-generation cooling system.The system was developed and validated at the Mutah University in Jordan, it consists of 240 m2 parabolic trough solar matrix. The trough matrix heated thermal oil to 260 °C, producing 13.7 bar of 210 °C superheated steam. The power cycle is completed by evaporating brackish water with the engine's 120 °C steam. Distillation yields 150 L of distilled water each hour. The rejected heat from distillation is stored in a thermally isolated hydraulic storage tank and used to power a unique two-stage air cooled adsorption chiller with a cooling capacity of 10 kW each.As a result, adsorption chillers' COP and normalized capacity were calculated. Their optimum values were obtained at 94 °C hot water, 15 °C chilled water, and 35 °C condensation temperature. The lowest COP and normalized capacity values were recorded at 65 °C hot water, 7 °C chilled water, and 38 °C condensation temperature.