Year: 2025 | Month: November | Volume: 12 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 188-194
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20251121
Design and Construction of Absorption Solar Refrigerator
J. C. Echewodo, B.C. Anusionwu, E.C. Mbamala, J. A. Ezihe, E. Onuoha
Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: J. C. Echewodo
ABSTRACT
This study contributes an important knowledge and method in the development, fabrication and application of absorption solar refrigerator as a better alternative to the commonly used compressor refrigerators in the rural areas where there is epileptic power supply or power supply is not available. This work focuses on the design and construction of absorption solar refrigerator. The refrigerant used was 400 g activated charcoal and 250 ml methanol. Consequently, the design was fabricated using locally sourced materials. It was designed to use direct solar radiation as its power source (parabolic solar concentrator). It also used heat energy from a kerosene stove as alternative power source. The absorption solar refrigerator was designed to be simple, handy and readily handled by anyone in case of malfunctioning. Though, the main limitations of the absorption solar refrigerator were the long time it used to achieve cooling and less ease of relocation. Generally, it is very efficient as its calculated coefficient of performance (COP) is 0.185 which compared favourably well with the literature value of 0.100 - 2.00. The minimum evaporator temperature achieved by the refrigerator was 5°C after 10 hours.
Keywords: Parabolic solar concentrator, absorption refrigerator, coefficient of performance
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