US 10,648,712 B1Granted

Microwave assisted hybrid solar vapor absorption refrigeration systems

AssigneeFlorida A&M University

InventorsSatyanarayan Dev, Charles Magee

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Abstract

A microwave-assisted hybrid solar vapor absorption system that converts anergy into exergy and works sustainably without the intermittence associated with the single absorption vapor absorption systems. The heat required for the generator in a vapor absorption system is provided by preheating the water through solar collectors and by using the vehicle's waste heat in conjunction with solar heat, collecting the waste heat and the solar heat into circulating water or other thermal fluids like mineral oil through the vehicle's radiator, the vehicle's exhaust pipe, and a solar collector. By combining the waste heat and the solar heat, the system achieves the required generator temperature. By introducing dielectric heating and by differentially heating only the refrigerant fluid, and not the absorbent fluid, the required pressure for refrigeration is achieved, while allowing the absorbent fluid to remain significantly cooler than the refrigerant. This increases the Coefficient of Performance to 0.95.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A high exergy efficient hybrid solar vapor absorption system, comprising:

an evaporator, the evaporator configured to cause evaporation of at least part of a refrigerant and absorbent solution, and cooling of the refrigerant and absorbent solution;
a condenser in fluid communication with the evaporator, the condenser configured to decrease temperature of a gas contained therein thereby transitioning the gas into a liquid state;
a thermal compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser;
wherein the refrigerant and absorbent solution flows throughout the high exergy efficient hybrid solar vapor absorption system including at least the evaporator, the condenser, and the thermal compressor;
an expansion valve coupling together the evaporator and the condenser, wherein the expansion valve directs flow of the refrigerant and absorbent solution from the condenser to the evaporator:
wherein the thermal compressor increases a pressure of the refrigerant and absorbent solution, thereby causing the refrigerant and absorbent solution to flow from the evaporator to the condenser;
wherein the thermal compressor comprises:
a generator (Qin) receiving solar energy,
an absorber (Qout) in fluid communication with the generator,
a one-way valve disposed between the generator and the absorber configured to allow passage of the refrigerant and absorbent fluid from generator to the absorber, and
a pump (Win) in fluid communication with the generator and the absorber, configured to increase the pressure of the refrigerant and absorbent solution moving from the absorber to the generator;
a microwave heat source coupled to the generator, wherein the microwave heat source provides heat to the generator;
an automobile exhaust heat source coupled to a storage unit, wherein the automobile exhaust heat source increases the heat of thermal storage fluid in the system which is stored in a storage unit in fluid communication with the generator;
and
solar panels coupled to the storage unit, wherein the solar panels heat the thermal storage fluid.

12 more elements

A method of increasing exergy efficiency in a solar absorption system, comprising:

an evaporator, the evaporator configured to cause evaporation of at least part of a refrigerant and absorbent solution, and cooling of the refrigerant and absorbent solution;
a condenser in fluid communication with the evaporator, the condenser configured to decrease temperature of a gas contained therein thereby transitioning the gas into a liquid state;
a thermal compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser;
wherein the refrigerant and absorbent solution flows throughout the high exergy efficient hybrid solar vapor absorption system including at least the evaporator, the condenser, and the thermal compressor;
an expansion valve coupling together the evaporator and the condenser, wherein the expansion valve directs flow of the refrigerant and absorbent solution from the condenser to the evaporator;
wherein the thermal compressor increases a pressure of the refrigerant and absorbent solution, thereby causing the refrigerant and absorbent solution to flow from the evaporator to the condenser;
wherein the thermal compressor comprises:
a generator (Qin) receiving solar energy,
an absorber (Qout) in fluid communication with the generator,
a one-way valve disposed between the generator and the absorber configured to allow passage of the refrigerant and absorbent fluid from generator to the absorber, and
a pump (Win) in fluid communication with the generator and the absorber, configured to increase the pressure of the refrigerant and absorbent solution moving from the absorber to the generator;
a microwave heat source coupled to the generator, wherein the microwave heat source provides heat to the generator;
an automobile exhaust heat source coupled to a storage unit, wherein the automobile exhaust heat source increases the heat of thermal fluid in the system which is stored in a storage unit in fluid communication with the generator;
and
solar panels coupled to the storage unit, wherein the solar panels heat the thermal fluid system.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/998,763Filed 16 Aug 2018 · us provisional application
Priority: 16 Aug 2017
Granted: 12 May 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

F25B 27/007
Using solar energy: in sorption type systems
B60H 1/3201
Cooling devices: using absorption or adsorption
B60H 1/32011
Using absorption or adsorption: using absorption, e.g. using Li-Br and water
F25B 15/02
Sorption machines, plants or systems, operating continuously, e.g. absorption type: without inert gas