Chapter 8
Solar Thermal-Powered Adsorption
Chiller
Mahbubul Muttakin, Kazuhide Ito and Bidyut Baran Saha
Abstract Adsorption based cooling systems are gaining considerable attention since
it can utilize low grade thermal energy, which otherwise could go as a waste. Heat
sources possessing a temperature of as low as 60 °C can drive an adsorption chiller
and that temperature requirement is even lower in the case of multi-stage adsorption
cooling systems. A typical flat plate solar collector can provide hot water having a
temperature of 65 °C in most of the countries in the Asian region. The temperature of
evacuated tube collectors’ water outlet can reach above 95 °C. In order to make use of
such collectors, in conjunction with other auxiliary heat sources, for providing heat
to power an adsorption chiller, it is imperative to have a proper mathematical model.
This can aid in designing the network and predicting the performance of the whole
system, prior to installation. This chapter focuses on the modelling of a system that
incorporates flat plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors and a thermally powered
adsorption chiller. Here, mathematical equations to calculate the efficiency of flat
plate and evacuated tube collectors are presented; processes that are involved in a
typical two bed adsorption cooling system are explained in brief, and a mathematical model of an adsorption chiller, that employs mass and heat recovery schemes
is developed. Finally, the simulation results of the model are presented, and the performance of the chiller is investigated to demonstrate a clear understanding of its
operation.
M. Muttakin · B. B. Saha (B)
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I 2 CNER), Kyushu
University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
e-mail: saha.baran.bidyut.213@m.kyushu-u.ac.jp
M. Muttakin
e-mail: muttakin@kyudai.jp
M. Muttakin · K. Ito
Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University,
Kasuga-Koen 6-1, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
e-mail: ito@kyudai.jp
B. B. Saha
Mechanical Engineering Department, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
819-0395, Japan
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
H. Tyagi et al. (eds.), Solar Energy, Energy, Environment,
and Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0675-8_8
117
Solar Thermal-Powered Adsorption
Chiller
Mahbubul Muttakin, Kazuhide Ito and Bidyut Baran Saha
Abstract Adsorption based cooling systems are gaining considerable attention since
it can utilize low grade thermal energy, which otherwise could go as a waste. Heat
sources possessing a temperature of as low as 60 °C can drive an adsorption chiller
and that temperature requirement is even lower in the case of multi-stage adsorption
cooling systems. A typical flat plate solar collector can provide hot water having a
temperature of 65 °C in most of the countries in the Asian region. The temperature of
evacuated tube collectors’ water outlet can reach above 95 °C. In order to make use of
such collectors, in conjunction with other auxiliary heat sources, for providing heat
to power an adsorption chiller, it is imperative to have a proper mathematical model.
This can aid in designing the network and predicting the performance of the whole
system, prior to installation. This chapter focuses on the modelling of a system that
incorporates flat plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors and a thermally powered
adsorption chiller. Here, mathematical equations to calculate the efficiency of flat
plate and evacuated tube collectors are presented; processes that are involved in a
typical two bed adsorption cooling system are explained in brief, and a mathematical model of an adsorption chiller, that employs mass and heat recovery schemes
is developed. Finally, the simulation results of the model are presented, and the performance of the chiller is investigated to demonstrate a clear understanding of its
operation.
M. Muttakin · B. B. Saha (B)
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I 2 CNER), Kyushu
University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
e-mail: saha.baran.bidyut.213@m.kyushu-u.ac.jp
M. Muttakin
e-mail: muttakin@kyudai.jp
M. Muttakin · K. Ito
Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University,
Kasuga-Koen 6-1, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
e-mail: ito@kyudai.jp
B. B. Saha
Mechanical Engineering Department, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
819-0395, Japan
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
H. Tyagi et al. (eds.), Solar Energy, Energy, Environment,
and Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0675-8_8
117