Energy analysis of an absorption air-conditioning system for different climatic zones of Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38152/bjtv9n1-002Abstract
Solar-integrated desiccant-based air conditioning systems offer an environmentally sound alternative to conventional vapor compression systems by leveraging solar thermal energy for regeneration. This study quantitatively evaluates the potential electrical energy savings of a liquid desiccant system compared to a standard vapor compression system via simulation, focusing on an office building archetype across six major Colombian cities representing diverse climates. The results consistently demonstrate that the desiccant-based system exhibits superior electrical performance in all analyzed locations, achieving substantial electrical power savings ranging from 52.2 to 60.9%. While a key technical challenge is the large solar collector area required (ranging from 158.3 to 205 m2), a sensitivity analysis provides a critical optimization strategy: increasing the concentration of the CaCl2 solution significantly reduces the collector area by lowering the required regeneration heat. Consequently, operating the system near saturation (≈50% weight) is highly advantageous for practical implementation. This research confirms the high energy efficiency potential of solar-assisted desiccant cooling in tropical climates and offers a pathway for reducing the associated installation footprint.
References
ALI, Dilawer; RATISMITH, Wattana. A semicircular trough solar collector for air-conditioning system using a single effect NH3–H2O absorption chiller. Energy, v. 215, p. 119073, 15 jan. 2021.
ANGRISANI, Giovanni; ROSELLI, Carlo; SASSO, Maurizio. Experimental assessment of the energy performance of a hybrid desiccant cooling system and comparison with other air-conditioning technologies. Applied energy, v. 138, p. 533–545, 2015.
APREA, Ciro et al. Expanded Total Equivalent Warming Impact analysis on experimental standalone fresh-food refrigerator. Energy Conversion and Management: X, v. 15, p. 100262, 2022.
ARORA, C. P. Refrigeration and air conditioning. 3. ed. [S.l.]: McGraw-Hill, 2009.
BABARINDE, TO; MADYIRA, DM. Replacement of halogenated refrigerants with environmentally friendly alternatives in refrigeration and air conditioning systems: A mini review. In: IEEE, 2024.
BELL, Michelle L.; GASPARRINI, Antonio; BENJAMIN, Georges C. Climate Change, Extreme Heat, and Health. New England Journal of Medicine, v. 390, n. 19, p. 1793–1801, 15 maio 2024.
BOLLAS, G. M.; CHEN, C. C.; BARTON, P. I. Refined electrolyte-NRTL model: Activity coefficient expressions for application to multi-electrolyte systems. AIChE Journal, v. 54, n. 6, p. 1608–1624, 2008.
BOUZENADA, S.; FRAINKIN, L.; LÉONARD, Angélique. Experimental investigation on vapor pressure of desiccant for air conditioning application. Procedia Computer Science, v. 109, p. 817–824, 2017.
BOUZYAN, Lahcen; TOUBLANC, Cyril; OUSEGUI, Abdellah. Modeling of a LiBr-H2O absorption air conditioner system driven by a solar flat plate collector. E3S Web of Conferences, v. 469, p. 00049, 2023.
CHE, Chunwen; YIN, Yonggao; ZHANG, Fan. A modified LIQUAC model for prediction of the vapor pressure of single liquid desiccant at high concentration and regeneration temperature. Fluid Phase Equilibria, v. 514, p. 112558, 15 jun. 2020.
ELMER, Theo et al. An experimental study of a novel integrated desiccant air conditioning system for building applications. Energy and Buildings, v. 111, p. 434–445, 1 jan. 2016.
FALCHETTA, Giacomo et al. Inequalities in global residential cooling energy use to 2050. Nature Communications, v. 15, n. 1, p. 7874, 16 set. 2024.
FAZILATI, Mohammad Ali; ALEMRAJABI, Ali Akbar; SEDAGHAT, Ahmad. Liquid desiccant air conditioning system with natural convection. Applied Thermal Engineering, v. 115, p. 305–314, 2017.
FEKADU, Geleta; SUBUDHI, Sudhakar. Renewable energy for liquid desiccants air conditioning system: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, v. 93, p. 364–379, 1 out. 2018.
GHOSH, Avik; BHATTACHARYA, Jishnu. A solar regenerated liquid desiccant evaporative cooling system for office building application in hot and humid climate. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, v. 22, p. 100804, 1 maio 2021.
GURUBALAN, A.; MAIYA, M. P.; GEOGHEGAN, Patrick J. A comprehensive review of liquid desiccant air conditioning system. Applied Energy, v. 254, p. 113673, 15 nov. 2019.
GURUBALAN, A.; SIMONSON, Carey J. A comprehensive review of dehumidifiers and regenerators for liquid desiccant air conditioning system. Energy Conversion and Management, v. 240, p. 114234, 15 jul. 2021.
HE, Yi et al. Thermal performance and experimental analysis of stainless steel flat plate solar collector with full-flow channels. Heliyon, v. 10, n. 7, 2024.
HELM, M. et al. Solar heating and cooling system with absorption chiller and low temperature latent heat storage: Energetic performance and operational experience. International Journal of Refrigeration, Progress in Sorptive Cooling Systems. v. 32, n. 4, p. 596–606, 1 jun. 2009.
HU, Ming et al. The effects of passive design on indoor thermal comfort and energy savings for residential buildings in hot climates: A systematic review. Urban Climate, v. 49, p. 101466, 1 maio 2023.
IBRAHIM, Nasiru I. et al. Economic analysis of a novel solar-assisted air conditioning system with integral absorption energy storage. Journal of Cleaner Production, v. 291, p. 125918, 1 abr. 2021.
KASAEIAN, Alibakhsh et al. Solar humidification-dehumidification desalination systems: A critical review. Energy Conversion and Management, v. 201, p. 112129, 1 dez. 2019.
KUIJPERS, L. J. M. Copenhagen 1992: a revision or a landmark?: Development in international agreements and regulations. International Journal of Refrigeration, v. 16, n. 3, p. 210–220, 1 jan. 1993.
MOHAMMED, Ramy H. et al. Desiccants enabling energy-efficient buildings: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, v. 183, p. 113418, 2023.
MUJEEBU, Muhammad Abdul; BANO, Farheen. Integration of passive energy conservation measures in a detached residential building design in warm humid climate. Energy, v. 255, p. 124587, 2022.
MUSTAFA, Ali Abdulqader; NORANAI, Zamri; IMRAN, Ahmed Abdulnabi. Solar absorption cooling systems: a review. Journal of Thermal Engineering, v. 7, n. 4, p. 970–983, 2021.
RAHMAN, Areeba et al. A case study of thermal analysis of a solar assisted absorption air-conditioning system using R-410A for domestic applications. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, v. 26, p. 101008, 1 ago. 2021.
SANTORO, Bruno Faccini et al. Nonlinear model predictive control of a climatization system using rigorous nonlinear model. Computers & Chemical Engineering, v. 125, p. 365–379, 2019.
SHARMA, Rahul Kumar; KUMAR, Ashish; RAKSHIT, Dibakar. A phase change material (PCM) based novel retrofitting approach in the air conditioning system to reduce building energy demand. Applied Thermal Engineering, v. 238, p. 121872, 1 fev. 2024.
SU, Wei et al. Liquid desiccant regeneration for advanced air conditioning: A comprehensive review on desiccant materials, regenerators, systems and improvement technologies. Applied Energy, v. 308, p. 118394, 15 fev. 2022.
TOCCHIO, Gabriel Guilhen et al. Forecasting demand for air conditioning in the Brazilian residential sector. Journal of Building Engineering, v. 96, p. 110572, 1 nov. 2024.
VELTEN, Kai; SCHMIDT, Dominik M.; KAHLEN, Katrin. Mathematical Modeling and Simulation: Introduction for Scientists and Engineers. [S.l.]: John Wiley & Sons, 2024.
WANG, Dengjia et al. Thermal performance analysis of large-scale flat plate solar collectors and regional applicability in China. Energy, v. 238, p. 121931, 2022.
WANG, Huinan et al. Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium Study of LiBr + H2O and LiBr + CaCl2 + H2O Systems. Frontiers in Chemistry, v. 7, 23 jan. 2020.
WOODS, Jason; KOZUBAL, Eric. On the importance of the heat and mass transfer resistances in internally-cooled liquid desiccant dehumidifiers and regenerators. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, v. 122, p. 324–340, 2018.
XIE, Xing et al. Passive energy-saving design strategy and realization on high window-wall ratio buildings in subtropical regions. Renewable Energy, v. 229, p. 120709, 1 ago. 2024.
ZHAO, Mengzhen et al. Projection of trade-offs of commercial air conditioning: Increasing carbon emission and reducing heat exposure. Applied Energy, v. 382, p. 125332, 15 mar. 2025.
