Modular Solar Absorption Cooling with Heat Storage for Remote Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar-powered refrigeration and air conditioning systems in remote areas face issues due to reliance on moving mechanical compressors prone to failure and electrical components that require sunlight for operation, lacking maintenance facilities and skilled personnel.
Innovation Solution
A modular absorption refrigeration system using solar heat collection, bubble pumps, and phase-change heat storage, eliminating the need for moving parts and enabling operation without sunlight, with modules that can be easily assembled and scaled for varying cooling needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If moving mechanical compressors are used in solar-powered refrigeration systems, then cooling function is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to parts failure in remote areas without maintenance facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical compressors with an absorption refrigeration system that uses thermal energy from solar collectors to drive the refrigeration cycle. The absorber-gas generator unit absorbs refrigerant vapor directly without mechanical moving parts, eliminating the need for compressors, condensers, and expansion devices while maintaining cooling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the mechanical compressor component from the refrigeration system, replacing it with a purely thermal absorption process. This removal of mechanical parts directly addresses the reliability issue in remote areas where maintenance is unavailable.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If photoelectric panels are used to generate electricity for refrigeration, then cooling function is achieved, but operational duration deteriorates when sunlight is unavailable without electric storage facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy input parameter from electrical energy (requiring photoelectric panels and storage) to direct thermal energy from solar collectors. The absorption refrigeration system uses heat directly to drive the refrigeration cycle, eliminating the need for electrical conversion and storage facilities, and enabling continuous operation as long as thermal energy is available.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular construction is used to scale cooling power, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases with multiple modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the absorption refrigeration system into modular absorber-gas generator units that can be connected in parallel. Each module contains the complete absorption cycle components (absorber, generator, heat exchangers), and multiple modules can be assembled together to achieve desired cooling capacity, providing scalability while maintaining simplicity within each module.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides reliable, maintenance-free cooling for extended periods, scalable to meet different power requirements, and utilizes phase-change heat storage to sustain operation beyond sunlight hours, ensuring consistent temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a solar heat collection means
Implementation Method 2
solar heat collection means; each module being arranged to receive heat from the heat collection means
Implementation Method 3
to cause evaporation of the refrigerant; an evaporator; means for putting a fluid to be cooled into thermal contact with each of the evaporators
Implementation Method 4
a condenser arranged to receive gaseous refrigerant from the generator and to condense the same
Implementation Method 5
a bubble pump for pumping the liquid from the generator to an absorber; Bubble pumps rely on surface tension to operate
Implementation Method 6
absorbing means for receiving gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator, absorbing it into the liquid from the bubble pump
Implementation Method 7
Heat stored in the phase change heat store is able to drive the refrigeration system into the evening after sunset
Implementation Method 8
a phase-change heat storage medium, the cold end of the heat pipe and the generator preferably being in close thermal contact with ( but preferably not immersed in) this medium
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides cooling apparatus comprising: a solar heat collection means (2); two or more absorption refrigeration modules (1), each module being arranged to receive heat from the heat collection means and to re-circulate refrigerant through an evaporator (16); and means for putting a fluid to be cooled into thermal contact with each of the evaporators.