Dynamic study of the thermal behaviour of solar thermochemical refrigerator: barium chloride-ammonia for ice production

The results of the theoretical thermodynamic analysis and the dynamic behav iour of the solar heating system of a thermochemical refrigerator, which op erates on a heterogeneous solid-gas reaction between barium chloride and am monia, are presented in this work. The thermodynamic analysis of the barium chloride-ammonia system shows that after energy and mass balance, the glob al efficiency coefficient (COP) varies very little. The theoretical relativ e low temperatures of dissociation in this system which are between 50 degr eesC and 60 degreesC need simple heating systems such as flat plate collect ors are needed, with an advantage over traditional liquid/vapour absorption systems. A simulation of the annual dynamic behaviour of the solar heating system for the operation of a solid-gas reactor is also presented. For an ice production specific cooling load, calculations are made of the differen t solar fractions of different areas of solar caption as well as the monthl y variations of the efficiencies of the refrigeration systems. (C) 2001 Pub lished by Elsevier Science B.V.