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Go to Editorial ManagerThe thermal performance of an absorption refrigeration system powered by solar pond heat was studied, simulated, and evaluated under the climatic conditions of Basra, Iraq. The simulation used MATLAB to solve the heat and mass transfer equations within the three layers of the solar pond (assuming NaCl as the salinity gradient medium) and linked them via a heat exchanger to the absorption refrigeration system to determine the temperatures supplied to the absorption cycle. The absorption cooling system operates on a lithium bromide-water pair and contains an internal heat exchanger between the generator and absorber with an assumed efficiency of 80%. The simulation was conducted over several months of the year, from March to October, and daily climatic variables such as solar radiation and ambient temperature specific to Basra were considered, allowing the system's performance to be evaluated under realistic climatic conditions. The objective was to evaluate the coefficient of performance (COP) of absorption refrigeration systems and demonstrate the feasibility of using solar ponds as a sustainable heat source for cooling in hot regions. The study demonstrated the feasibility of operating an absorption refrigeration system using the thermal energy stored in the lower layer of the solar pond, while maintaining good thermal stability in that layer throughout the day, especially in areas with high solar radiation, such as Basra. The simulation model was developed entirely in MATLAB using fundamental physical equations that describe each component of the solar pond and absorption refrigeration system, without relying on pre-existing components or tables. This provides greater modeling flexibility and a deeper understanding of system behavior under hot climate conditions.
Conventional Refrigeration Systems (VCRS) are the most commonly used in industrial buildings and facilities. Conventional refrigeration systems are among the most energy-consuming sources in addition to causing more environmental problems and gas emissions, such as hydrocarbons (HCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), are known to contribute to global warming and ozone depletion. Absorption Refrigeration Systems (VARS) are a good alternative to conventional refrigeration systems because they use low-grade heat sources and operate with environmentally friendly liquids. The most important of these heat sources is the heat wasted from engines, industrial processes and many other sources. The global objective of the study is a literature review on the different ways to operate the absorption refrigeration system using waste heat in engines that include exhaust gases and engine cooling water as well as renewable energy that includes solar energy. Reviews of the literature have demonstrated how the absorption refrigeration system can be used and operated using a variety of thermal sources. This study also supports the usage of ecologically friendly chillers to provide air conditioning and refrigeration, as it shows these systems have a lower performance coefficient when compared to conventional refrigeration systems.
This study presents both experimental and theoretical investigations of an absorption refrigeration system using environmentally friendly working fluids, specifically the acetone–zinc bromide (Acetone/ZnBr₂) pair. The system was designed to operate under outdoor climatic conditions in Hilla City, Iraq, utilizing hot water as the heat source. Performance evaluation was carried out under various operating conditions, including changes in heat source, absorber, condenser, and evaporator temperatures. Experimental testing was conducted during September 2019. The results indicated that the coefficient of performance (COP) of the absorption cooling system ranged from 0.13 to 0.487, with an evaporator temperature drop of approximately 16 °C. Condensation and absorption temperatures remained below 41 °C, while the maximum driving water temperature reached 80 °C. A steady-state theoretical model was developed using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) program, applying mass and energy balance equations to predict operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, and COP. Model predictions showed good agreement with the experimental measurements. Furthermore, the results confirmed that generator temperature has a significant influence on overall system performance.