Optimization of a solar driven adsorption refrigeration system

This paper deals with the thermodynamic optimization of a solar driven adso rption refrigeration system. An externally irreversible but internally endo reversible model has been employed to analyse the optimum conditions for wh ich the maximum refrigeration effect can be achieved. It is seen that a chi ller attains its highest capacity if the thermal conductances of the heat e xchangers are distributed properly. It is also seen that half of the total thermal conductances are allocated between the condenser and adsorber heat exchangers that release heat to the external ambient. The coefficient of pe rformance (COP) for the optimum conditions is also presented. It is observe d that the COPopt increases in parallel with the dimensionless collector st agnation temperature, tau (st), as well as with the increase of the require d refrigeration space temperature, tau (L), while the COPopt decreases as t he ratio of collector size to the cumulative size of all four heat exchange rs, B, increases. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.