Solar Thermal Air Conditioner

1. Solar Thermal Air Conditioner Design Team 8

2. Introduction Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 2 of 30 Team 8: • Chris DesRoches • Patricia Duncan • James Mills • Amanda Wiseman Supervisor: • Dr. Dominic Groulx

3. Outline • Introduction • Background • Problem Definition • Design • System • Construction • Testing • Testing System • Results • Conclusion • Acknowledgements

4. Background Information Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 4 of 30 Energy Use in a Typical Home Source: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_pie

5. Background Information Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 5 of 30 • Solar technology is improving • Evacuated tube panels can be up to 70% efficient, produce temperatures up to 170˚C

6. Problem Definition Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 6 of 30 • Design a solar powered air conditioner • Goals: • Provide 1.76 kW of cooling • Minimum system COP of 0.4 • Maximum size of 125 L • Maximum weight of 40 kg

7. Problem Definition Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 7 of 30 Theoretical tie-in to existing system:

8. Design Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 8 of 30 • Ammonia Absorption Cooling System • Cooling System Components • Generator • Condenser • Evaporator • Absorber

9. Design Final design: Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 9 of 30

10. Solar Simulator Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 10 of 30

11. Construction Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 11 of 30 • Fabrication of helical heat exchanger for generator

12. Construction Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 12 of 30 • Assembly/charging of system completed by certified technician

13. Construction Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 13 of 30 • Construction of testing system Relief Valve Pump Flow Meter Expansion Tank Immersion Heater Generator Insulation Steam Hose Valves and fittings Pressure Gauge

14. Budget Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 14 of 30 • Proposed budget: $2700

15. Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 15 of 30 • 300 W electrical resistance heater • Absorption refrigeration conventionally uses propane flame • Thermocouples on 8 points

16. Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 16 of 30 • Transient Response • Condenser indicated tipping point of system at 50 ˚C • Quick response due to instantaneous electrical input

17. Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 17 of 30 • Lowest temperature recorded -25˚C

18. Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 18 of 30 Response with forced air:

19. Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 19 of 30 • Average COP: 0.67 • Average Cooling: 221.76 W

20. Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 20 of 30 • Glycol input

21. Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 21 of 30 • Glycol input • Slope: 1.0 °C/min • Condenser maximum: 28°C

22. Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 22 of 30 • Glycol input • Slope: 1.67 °C/min • Condenser maximum: 43°C

23. Design Summary Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 23 of 30

24. Design Summary Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 24 of 30

25. Recommendations Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 25 of 30 • Research into ammonia absorption cooling cycle to increase efficiency • More precise testing system able to achieve high temperatures

26. Recommendations Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 26 of 30 • Optimize design of generator heat exchanger to improve heat transfer

27. Conclusion Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 27 of 30 • Cooling system met many goals with electric input, but solar tests were not successful • Solar thermal power is not feasible to run a/c effectively with current technology • Ammonia system is inefficient compared to current technology

28. Acknowledgements Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 28 of 30 • Dalhousie University • Faculty of Mechanical Engineering • Dr. Dominic Groulx • Dr. Julio Militzer • Dr. Peter Allen • LAMTE Grad Students • NSCC • Dr. Alain Joseph • Kevin O’halloran • Joao Antunes

29. Acknowledgements Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 29 of 30 • Absorption Refrigeration Services of Canada • Dave Fraser • Efficiency Nova Scotia • Shell

30. Questions?