SOLAR SORPTION REFRIGERATOR USING A CPC COLLECTOR

A prototype Compound Parabolic Concentrating (CPC) solar energy collec tor for a sorption refrigerator is presented. It consists of two CPC r eflectors, two absorbers and a single glazing cover. The absorber is m ade with seamless steel tube covered in a selective surface (absorptan ce: 0.95) and contains aluminium fins, activated carbon and ammonia. T he parabolas are manufactured from aluminium foil and a reflective mic rofilm is bonded on its surfaces to provide high solar reflectance (0. 95). The concentration ratio of the collector is about 2.4 and corresp onds to an incidence half angle of 25 degrees. A numerical model of th e absorber is described. Simulations with a daily solar radiation corr esponding to tropical areas are presented. (C) 1998 Published by Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.