Design and Analysis of a Solar-Powered Vapour Absorption Refrigeration System using E20 Software

Abstract

The utilization of solar energy as future energy source is drawing attention of industrialist and researchers worldwide. The Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and Solar Photovoltaic Power (SPP) is second largest installed renewable energy source. Solar energy finds potential application in refrigeration system, electricity generation, desalinate water, heat generation etc. The solar powered refrigeration system is more sustainable and environmentally friendly compared to conventional refrigeration systems. In order to explore the applications of solar powered refrigeration system, this study presents the quantitative simulation and performance maximization of a 2 TR solar-powered Vapour Absorption Refrigeration System (VARS) using E20 software motivated by its relevance for medium-scale applications such as commercial cooling and food processing. The integration of solar energy into VARS is an established field of research, with significant contributions. While fundamental principles of solar-driven ammonia-water VARS have been well documented, the application of E20 software would enhance system efficiency through simulation-based optimization. Despite E20 being a commercial tool frequently used in HVAC applications, this study applies it to a specific use case of VARS optimization, offering an improvement in methodology rather than an entirely new concept. This work presents the refining of existing designs using accessible simulation technology for performance optimization. Further, the aim is to bridge the gap between academic studies and practical implementations by demonstrating the feasibility of E20 in VAR system simulation. The performance of the system evaluated yielding a COP of 0.514, which aligns with previously established efficiency ranges.