| |
 |
|
|
Science Forum Index » Environment Forum » Solar Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Page 1 of 1
|
| Author |
Message |
| Dr. Convection |
 Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 3:19 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
In the event of sudden and catastrophic global warming, the people of the
earth could be saved by solar powered air conditioning.
From:
http://www.focus-solar.com/air-cond.htm
Solar Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Many people may not realize that solar collectors can be used for air
conditioning and refrigeration . How?
Absorption cooling is the first and oldest form of air-conditioning and
refrigeration. Rather than using an electric compressor to pressurize the
refrigerant, a heat source such as propane is used to evaporate the
refrigerant liquid (ammonia/water or lithium bromide/water mix). Absorption
coolers still need electricity to run a pump which circulates the
refrigerant, but this is a fraction of the power used by a compressor in a
conventional electric air conditioner or refrigerator. Thermal solar energy
such as that produced by a Focus Solar collector, can replace or supplement
the use of propane or other non-renuable heating fuels.
Solar powered air-conditioning is currently only viable for large scale
applications that employ absorption style cooling systems. In the future
solar collectors that supply hot water and central heating may also be used
to run specially designed solar compatible air conditioners for use in
normal households.
What are the advantages of using solar energy for refrigeration and
air-conditioning?
1. Environmentally Friendly - Air conditioners and refrigerators use a lot
of electricity, or in the case of absorption cooling system, gas or some
other combustible liquid. Reducing the consumption of these energy sources,
means less greenhouse gas production.
2. Flexibility - By using heat exchangers, and in particular heat pipe style
heat exchangers, liquids (E.g. refrigeration fluid) can be heated to high
temperatures.
3. Economic Saving - Reduce electricity or gas bills by using solar energy
to run air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, provide central heating
(radiative or air) and supply hot water.
4. Suits Large Scale Applications - Solar powered air-conditioning and
refrigeration is deal for hotels, supermarkets, schools, factories, etc.
5. Practical - When do you need air-conditioning? Summer. When is the sun
shining the strongest? Summer. Throughout the year, solar thermal output and
thus air conditioning output, match building cooling requirements.
At present solar thermal energy for air-conditioning is only being used for
large scale applications such as airports and factories. Solar thermal
energy can provide air-conditioning during the summer, hot water all year
round, and warm air or radiant heating in the winter. The result is year
round energy savings.
The use of solar energy for domestic cooling applications has not yet been
seriously implemented, but there is definite potential. In order for a
domestic "all in one" hot water, space heating and air conditioning system
to be available for retail, investment and development by experienced
air-conditioning manufacturers is required. Focus Solar collectors are
already perfectly suited to this application and simply require installation
along with the appropriately designed air conditioning and heating
components.
Focus Solar does not provide the complete solar cooling system - we only
supply the solar panel. We do not have commercially available solar cooling
systems, but are interested in working with companies who are looking to
develop such systems.
One company that does offer high quality absorption cooling systems for use
with solar collectors is Yazaki Corporation. Please visit their web site for
more information.
If your company is interested in cooperating with Focus Solar in the
development of solar air conditioning products, or would like to purchase
our collectors for a large scale applications please contact us. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
|
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
The time now is Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:55 am
|
|