Study of a solar powered solid adsorption-desiccant cooling system used for grain storage

A hybrid solar cooling system. which combines the technologies of rotary de siccant dehumidification and solid adsorption refrigeration, has been propo sed for cooling grain. The key components of the system are a rotary desicc ant wheel and a solar adsorption collector. The former is used for dehumidi fication and the later acts as both an adsorption unit and a solar collecto r. The heating load from Sunshine can thus be reduced to a greater extent s ince the solar adsorption collector is placed on the roof of the grain depo t. Compared with the solid adsorption refrigeration system alone. the new h ybrid system performs better. Under typical conditions. the coefficient of performance of the system is >0.4 and the outlet temperature is < 20 degree sC, It is believed that the system can be used widely in the regions with a bundant solar resources due to such advantages as environmental protection, energy saving and low operation costs. Additionally. sonic parameters, for example, ambient conditions, the effectiveness of the heat exchanger and e vaporative cooler. mass air-flow, rate. etc., which affect system performan ce, are also analyzed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.