Optimization of solar adsorption refrigeration system using experimental and statistical techniques

This paper presents the design of new prototype of a solar adsorption refrigeration unit with certain specifications and requirements to be used as an air conditioning and refrigeration unit suitable to be used in remote areas. The new device uses activated carbon (used as adsorbents) with methanol (as adsorbate) forming an adsorbent-adsorbate pairs. Experimental data with statistical technique are used in this paper to get the optimum design parameters of the solar adsorption refrigeration system with an acceptable result of COP (coefficient of performance) and cooling production. The minimum temperature obtained for the refrigerator was 9 deg. C while the ambient temperature was 26 deg. C. The effective refrigeration started at 21:10 and the temperature decreased gradually until it reached 9 deg. C at 01:30 next day then it increased above the minimum temperature. The gross cycle coefficient of performance, COPa = 0.688 from the thermodynamic calculations.