SOLAR THERMAL AIR CONDITIONER

Design Team 8

IntroductionSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 2

Team 8: Chris DesRoches Patricia Duncan James Mills Amanda Wiseman

Supervisor: Dr. Dominic Groulx

Outline

Introduction Background Problem Definition

Design System Calculations

Conclusion Future Work Testing

Acknowledgements

Background Information

Solar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 4 Source: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?

c=products.pr_pie

Figure 1: Energy Use in a Typical Home

Background Information

Solar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 5

Source: http://www.nlcpr.com/solar_install.php

Figure 2: Average Annual Solar Insolation in NS

Problem DefinitionSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 6

Design a working solar powered air conditioner

Goals: Provide 0.5 tons of cooling Minimum system COP of 0.4 Maximum size of 125 L

Design SelectionSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 7

Absorption-

Ammonia

Absorption-

Lithium

Bromide

Desiccant Thermochemical

Size (5) 5 1 3 3

Safety (4) 2 4 3 2

Simplicity (4) 4 2 2 2

Ergonomics (3) 3 3 1 3

Total (16) 14 10 9 10

DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 8

Cooling System Components Generator Condenser Evaporator Absorber

DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 9

DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 10

DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 11

DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 12

Air Conditioning Process

DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 12

Ammonia Solubility in Water

HYSIS SimulationSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 13

Peng-Robinson cubic equation of state model approximation

Heat Transfer Calculations

Solar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 14

Air cooling1

Finned Tubes1

1Bergman, T., Dewitt, D., Incropera, F., Lavine, A. (2007). Introduction to heat transfer. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, pp. 150-160; 400-410.

Absorber DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 15

Fan cooling: 27 W/m2*K Length:140 in Fin Dimensions:

Spacing: 0.4 in Length: 1.25 in Thickness: 0.125 in Material: Steel

Condenser DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 16

Fan cooling: 27 W/m2*K Length: 7 in Fin Dimensions:

Spacing: 1.0 in Length: 1.25 in Thickness: 0.03125 in Material: Steel

Evaporator DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 17

Fan cooling: 17 W/m2*K Length: 130 in Fins:

Spacing: 0.5 in Length: 3.25in Thickness: 0.03125 in Material: Steel

Generator Calculations

Solar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 18

Heat transfer coefficients in coiled tube:

Overall heat transfer and area required:

Generator DesignSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 19

Generator Helical-coil

heat exchanger was selected

Length: 12 in Materials:

Steel, Copper, R-12 polystyrene insulation

SafetySolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 20

Ammonia absorption cycle is widely used in the RV industry

Sensors will be included in case of leaks

Certified refrigeration technologist will assist in constructing and charging the system

BudgetSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 21

Basic Cost Revised Cost

Parts $ 2,145.68 $ 1,983.40

Labour $ 480.00 $ 280.00

Total $ 2,625.68 $ 2,263.40

Some parts may need to be custom fabricated, including the generator

The team is anticipating an existing cooling cycle will be donated and modified

Future WorkSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 22

Fabrication and assembly of system

Continuous improvements to design where applicable

Testing of air conditioner performance

TestingSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 23

Air conditioner will be tested in an insulated/sealed control volume with controlled heat input

Tests will involve constant heat input, as well as simulation of expected solar inputs for different climates

ConclusionSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 24

Solar thermal energy can be harnessed to cool a residential space

Cycle simulations are complete and components are sized

Manufacturing and testing to follow

AcknowledgementsSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 25

Dalhousie University Faculty of Mechanical

Engineering Dr. Dominic Groulx Dr. Julio Militzer

NSCC Dr. Alain Joseph Kevin O’halloran

AcknowledgementsSolar Air Conditioner•Introduction•Design•Conclusion

6 December 2011Team 8Slide 26

Absorption Refrigeration Services of Canada Dave Fraser

Efficiency Nova Scotia

Shell

Questions?