Title: Thermoeconomic assessment of a solar-based ejector absorption cooling system with thermal energy storage: a case study for Al-Jofra city in Libya

Authors: Salem Yosaf; Hasan Ozcan

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Karabuk University, Demir Celik Kampusu, 78050, Karabuk, Turkey ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Yildirim Beyazit University, Etlik 06220, Kecioren, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract: In this study, a concentrated solar photovoltaic (CSPV) energy-based ejector absorption refrigeration cycle (EARC) is evaluated using thermodynamic and thermoeconomic tools for a resident in Libya. The solar data of Al-Jofra city is utilised to operate the CSPV system that produce enough heating and electricity for the refrigeration cycle generator and the thermal energy storage. The overall COP and exergy efficiency of the system at peak times are 0.82 and 32%, respectively. Cooling cost flow rate of the overall system is found to be around $0.22 per hour at generator temperatures above 100°C without thermal energy storage, while it is determined to be as high as $0.29 per hour with storage. Even though the system presents high cooling costs due to high investment costs for the CSPV equipment, almost 6.58 tons of annual CO₂ emissions can be prevented with this renewable-based cooling system when replaced with conventional refrigeration systems.

Keywords: clean cooling; absorption refrigeration; ejector; concentrated solar photovoltaics; CSPVs; thermoeconomics; Libya.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2019.100363

International Journal of Exergy, 2019 Vol.29 No.2/3/4, pp.193 - 210

Received: 14 Oct 2018
Accepted: 17 Feb 2019
Published online: 27 Jun 2019 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article