Design and testing of a solar powered refrigerator / by ... and Sommai Kornsakoo | |
| Author | Exell, Robert H. B. |
| Call Number | AIT Research Report no.126 |
| Subject(s) | Solar energy research--Thailand Refrigeration and refrigerating machinery--Design and construction |
| Note | A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Two prototype intermittent ammonia-water absorption refrigerators were designed and tested in the Asian Institute of Technology as a step towards the development of a village- size refrigerator. Each unit had two flat- plate collectors of area 2.5 m2 with movable flat auxiliary mirrors attached to the eastern and western edges to enhance solar heating during the regeneration process. No oil or electricity was used. In one of the prototypes the collector was of simple tube- in- sheet construction, while the collector of the other prototype had non- focussing cylindrical concentrators set below finned riser tubes. The model with the simple tube- in- sheet collector had the better performance. On a bright day 14 kg of liquid ammonia could be distilled, and refrigeration the following night gave over 25 kg of ice from water initially at 28°c. The ice could keep the temperature of a cool storage compartment below 13°C while the ambient temperature reached 35°c. A preliminary economic evaluation showed that the cost of ice produced by the system would be 2 to 3 times the city price; this would be acceptable in remote areas. Technical problems and new design features are reported. |
| Year | 1981 |
| Type | Research Report |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Chairperson(s) | -; |
| Examination Committee(s) | -; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Overseas Development Administration, London; |
| Degree | Research Report (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1981 |