Thermodynamic Analysis of a Solar Zeolite Refrigeration System

A solar zeolite-water absorption refrigeration unit was studied. Thermodynamic expressions were derived to predict the system performance. The operating range and optimum design parameters for the zeolite system were determined. The main parameters governing performance were: solar collector type, ambient temperature, and absorber properties. Results are shown for various solar collector types and various zeolite types. A desorption initiation temperature is shown to exist. The analysis is not based on empirical heat of absorption data, but rather on a zeolite properties relationship (log Pv versus 1/Tz) to determine system performance.