DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF A SOLAR ADSORPTION REFRIGERATOR UNDER HAZY CONDITION
Abstract
Preservation of foods, drinks, fruits, fish, and perishables using cleaner form of energy at low
financial cost has necessitated the adoption of solar powered refrigeration system most
especially in locations with known viable solar resources. A 0.36m 2 solar-powered adsorption
refrigeration system utilizing an activated carbon/methanol pair was developed, tested, and
evaluated under a cloudy sky condition of harmattan haze of Bauchi weather condition in
January. A single 4mm plane glass forms the collector employing the location latitude as the
inclination angle. Copper tubes arranged in parallel and connected to two headers are
embedded underneath the absorber and, then coated with black paint. Collector air tightness
is improved by the use of glazing rubber. Five liters of water in the cooling cabinet attained
13°C after 56 hours of experiment achieving a 41% temperature reduction and, 0.56 cooling
coefficient of performance. This work indicates the practicability of solar adsorption
refrigeration in the tropics amidst cloudy sky conditions. For improved performance under
unfavorable weather conditions, provision should be made for auxiliary heating. The
applications of this form of refrigeration will curb the use of conventional energy, minimize
grid dependence, reduce household recurrent bills, and ozone layer-depleting
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
References
Akinbisoye, O. B and Odesola, I. F (2013). Experimental Study of Absorptive Solar Powered Refrigerator in Ibadan, Nigeria-1: Performance in Actual Site. International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 3 (3), 381-389.
Allouache, N. (2013). Numerical Modelling of an Adsorption Solar Cooling System. Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering, Vol. III, London, U.K. https://iaeng.org/publication/WCE2013/WCE2013_pp1959-1963.pdf
Amritpal Singh (2012). Mathematical Modeling for Thermohydraulic Performance of Wire Mesh Packed Bed Solar Air Heater. Published M.Sc Thesis, Thapar University, Patiala. Mathematical modeling for thermohydraulic performance of wire mesh packed bed solar air heater. | Semantic Scholar
Anjorin, S. A. and Bello, E. I. (2016). Performance Evaluation Of A Solar Powered Solid Adsorption Refrigerator Under A Tropical Humid Climate. European Journal of Engineering and Technology, 3 (4), 43-56.
Anthony Joachim Omeiza, Ayo Samuel Adinoyi, Enebe Vincent and Benjamin Ternenge Abur (2024). Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of an Integrated Refrigerator and Air-Conditioning System for Domestic Application. International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science, 6 (7), 4294-4300.
Benjamin Ternenge Abur (2023). Sensible Heat Storage Performance of Volcanic Gravels in Benue State for Solar Dryer Application. Unpublished PhD Dissertation, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Benjamin Ternenge Abur, Habou Dandakouta, Adisa, A. B., and Ejilah, R. I. (2019). Parametric study for Solar Dryer Design. Discovery, 55(284), 430-440.
Du, W. P., Li1, M., Wang, Y. F., He, J. H. and He, J. X. (2017). Design of Solar Adsorption Refrigeration System with CPC and Study on the Heat and Mass Transfer Performance. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 93, pp. 1-9.
Emmanuel Enemona Oguche, Isa Garba, Jimoh, M. T. and Benjamin Ternenge Abur (2020). Solar Thermal Sensible Heat Storage: Prospects. Research. Inventy: International Journal of Engineering and Science, 10 (4), 10-19.
Gideon Ayuba Duvuna (2016). Development of an Active Solar Flat Plate Collector for Clinical Applications. Unpublished, PhD Seminar Series. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi.
Hildbrand, C., Dind, Ph. and Buchter, F. (2002). A New Solar Powered Adsorption Refrigerator With High Performance. Article paru dans EUROSUN 2002, ISES Europe Solar Congress, Bologna, June 23-26 2002, ed. ISES Italia, Roma. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=24d3a6cf4b8f51972a30ca92cee9e409f324afe0
Khattab, N.M. (2004). A Novel Solar-Powered Adsorption Refrigeration Module. Applied Thermal Engineering, 24, 27472760
Likta, E. W. (2023). Evaluation of Solar Energy Potentials for Power Energy Generation In Maiduguri, Borno State. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 7(3), 223 - 231.
Manahil Zaki A/Wahab Ali (2009). Design and Construction of a Continuous Solar Absorption Refrigeration Unit. Published PhD Thesis, University of Khartoum, Sudan. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/71675753.pdf
Miguel Ramos, Rafael L. Espinoza and Manfred J. Horn (2003). Evaluation of a Zeolite-Water Solar Adsorption Refrigerator. ISES Solar World Congress, Gteborg, Sweden. https://sites.engineering.ucsb.edu/~yuen/references/reg-9.pdf
Mohand Berdja, Brahim Abbad, Ferhat Yahi, Fateh Bouzefour and Maamar Ouali (2014). Design and Realization of a Solar Adsorption Refrigeration Machine Powered by Solar Energy. Energy Procedia, 48, 1226-1235.
Norhafizah Ahmad Junaidi and Tohru Suwa (2016). Solar-Powered Adsorption Refrigeration Cycle Optimization. Jurnal Teknologi, 78 (5-8), 101107.
Rekiyat Suleiman, Clement Folayan, Fatai Anafi and Dangana Kulla (2012). Transient Simulation of a Flat Plate Solar Collector Powered Adsorption Refrigeration System. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research, 2 (4), 657-664.
Rifat Ara Rouf., Amanul Alam, K. C., Hakim Khan, M. A., Bidyut Baran Saha., Meuniere, F., M. Abdul Alim and K. M. Ariful Kabir (2014). Advancement of Solar Adsorption Cooling by Means of Heat Storage. Procedia Engineering, 90, 649 656.
Umar, M and Aliyu, A. B (2008). Design and Thermodynamic Simulation of a Solar Absorption Icemaker. Continental Journal of Engineering Sciences, 3, 42-49.
Copyright (c) 2025 FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
