Experimental Study on Performance of Solar Thermal Driven Cooling System Versus a Hybrid Mechanical Compression Refrigeration-Solar Thermal Assisted System in Hot Areas

Abstract

Refrigeration and air conditioning systems are essential requirements for human needs, and, this followed by an increasing demand for electric energy. The recent trend in research and development find such systems to be driven entirely or partiality by renewable energy. One goal of this study is to minimize the grid-based electrical power needed by the residential scale air conditioning system through either using full, driven or partiality solar thermal energy. The study main aim is to present the reduction in the electrical power consumption by the mechanical compression refrigeration system through integrating an intermediate solar thermal to raise the pressure of the refrigerant after the compressor and before the condenser and to compare this system performance with an entirely driven solar thermal cooling system under hot, arid areas. This is being done through design, constructing and operation of both systems and carrying out the performance measurements under Assiut city environmental conditions.