SOLAR THERMAL AIR CONDITIONER Design Team 8

Introduction Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 2 of 30 Team 8:  Chris DesRoches  Patricia Duncan  James Mills  Amanda Wiseman Supervisor:  Dr. Dominic Groulx

Outline  Introduction Background Problem Definition  Design System Construction  Testing Testing System Results  Conclusion  Acknowledgements

Background Information Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 4 of 30 Source: Energy Use in a Typical Home

Background Information Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 5 of 30  Solar technology is improving  Evacuated tube panels can be up to 70% efficient, produce temperatures up to 170˚C

Problem Definition Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 6 of 30  Design a solar powered air conditioner  Goals:  Provide 1.76 kW of cooling  Minimum system COP of 0.4  Maximum size of 125 L  Maximum weight of 40 kg

Problem Definition Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 7 of 30 Theoretical tie-in to existing system:

Design Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 8 of 30  Ammonia Absorption Cooling System  Cooling System Components  Generator  Condenser  Evaporator  Absorber

Design Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 9 of 30 Final design:

Solar Simulator Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 10 of 30

Construction Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 11 of 30  Fabrication of helical heat exchanger for generator

Construction Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 12 of 30  Assembly/charging of system completed by certified technician

Construction Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 13 of 30  Construction of testing system Relief Valve Immersion Heater Pressure Gauge Expansion Tank Valves and fittings Steam HoseGenerator Insulation Pump Flow Meter

Budget Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 14 of 30 CategoryCost Cooling Cycle$735 Plumbing Components$756 Electrical Components$622 Fittings and Piping$252 Valves and Gages$95 Testing Equipment$69 Misc.$107 Total$2636  Proposed budget: $2700

Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 15 of 30  300 W electrical resistance heater  Absorption refrigeration conventionally uses propane flame  Thermocouples on 8 points

Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 16 of 30  Transient Response Condenser indicated tipping point of system at 50 ˚C Quick response due to instantaneous electrical input

Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 17 of 30 Lowest temperature recorded -25˚C

Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 18 of 30 Response with forced air:

Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 19 of 30 Test 1Test 2Test 3Test 4 Air Velocity [m/s] Mass Flow [kg/s] Δ T [°C] Cooling Capacity [W] COP Average COP: 0.67 Average Cooling: W

Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 20 of 30  Glycol input

Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 21 of 30  Glycol input  Slope: 1.0 °C/min  Condenser maximum: 28°C

Testing Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 22 of 30  Glycol input  Slope: 1.67 °C/min  Condenser maximum: 43°C

Design Summary Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 23 of 30 Performance GoalsAchieved Minimum COP of 0.4 Cooling capacity of 1.76 kW (6000 BTU/h)  Able to dehumidify air by 50%  Safety / Ergonomics GoalsAchieved Quiet operation of the unit No training required for daily operation Completely enclosed unit  Easily accessible air filter 

Design Summary Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 24 of 30 Physical GoalsAchieved Maximum weight of 40 kg Occupy a space less than 125 L  Minimize required panel area Minimum unit lifetime of 10 years Low maintenance unit

Recommendations Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 25 of 30  Research into ammonia absorption cooling cycle to increase efficiency  More precise testing system able to achieve high temperatures

Recommendations Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 26 of 30  Optimize design of generator heat exchanger to improve heat transfer

Conclusion Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 27 of 30  Cooling system met many goals with electric input, but solar tests were not successful  Solar thermal power is not feasible to run a/c effectively with current technology  Ammonia system is inefficient compared to current technology

Acknowledgements Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 28 of 30  Dalhousie University Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Dominic Groulx Dr. Julio Militzer Dr. Peter Allen LAMTE Grad Students  NSCC Dr. Alain Joseph Kevin O’halloran Joao Antunes

Acknowledgements Solar Air Conditioner Introduction Design Testing Conclusion 5 April 2012 Team 8 Slide 29 of 30  Absorption Refrigeration Services of Canada Dave Fraser  Efficiency Nova Scotia  Shell

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