Investigations on water–LiBr‐based absorption refrigerator with solar parabolic dish in cogeneration mode

Abstract

Here, performance of 11 kW solar-powered lithium bromide water absorption chillers in cogeneration mode is investigated. A 40 m 2 solar parabolic dish of 19 kW th capacity is used for both processes heating and cooling. Extensive thermodynamic design and analysis are carried out, and the results obtained are validated. Parabolic dish and cavity receiver are sized for Chennai (13°N, 80.18°E), India. In the present analysis, a new performance parameter COP WE is introduced by replacing the thermal input component in the calculation of COP, by an equivalent amount of high-grade energy. Both physical and chemical exergy at all state points of the chiller are estimated and found that total irreversibility is about 2.37 kW in desorber followed by absorber which is 0.41 kW. The developed model estimates solution concentration at the exit of solution expansion valve (SEV) that is important since it affects absorption of refrigerant in the absorber.