Performance Analysis of a Solar-powered Absorption Refrigeration System for Small-scale Farmers in the Global South
Joseph Ellis *
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, Ghana.
Richard Opoku *
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Charles K.K Sekyere
Sustainable Energy Service Centre, College of Engineering, KNUST, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A solar absorption refrigeration system powered by a solar Photovoltaic (PV) module has been successfully built and tested for its performance. The solar panels selected for the absorption refrigeration system are rated at 150 W. From the experiment conducted on the solar-powered absorption refrigeration system, results show that the lowest evaporating temperature of 10.1 °C was achieved after 12 hours of operation from the initial conditions. It was found that a heat input of 785 W, with a coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.65, yields a cooling capacity of 510 W. Another observation was that the system operated at an evaporating temperature ranging between 10.8 °C and 10.1 °C. The overall performance (COP) of the solar-powered absorption refrigeration system is 0.65. Further analysis indicated that the inclusion of energy storage not only enhances cooling but also increases the system’s throughput, allowing it to be used during nighttime hours.
Keywords: Absorption refrigeration system, energy storage, energy-food nexus, small-scale farmers, solar PV system