The design, development of a solar powered adsorption cooling system for Indian conditions

Abstract

Adsorption cooling systems have attracted considerable attention because of their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid ozone-depleting refrigerants. In this study, a solar-powered adsorption refrigeration system was designed, developed, and experimentally evaluated under Indian climatic conditions using activated carbon–methanol as the working pair. The results show that the system achieved a maximum system coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.24, a solar COP of 0.14, a specific cooling power (SCP) of 70.41 W/kg, and a maximum collector temperature of 77 °C. The system also produced a maximum cooling temperature difference of 10 °C, demonstrating effective cooling performance under favorable solar radiation conditions. The findings confirm that activated carbon–methanol is a suitable pair for low-temperature solar-driven cooling applications, particularly in regions with high solar availability.