Development of a solar-powered residential air conditioner: screening analysis. [RAnkine cycle power systems]

Technical Report · Fri Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:7294608

Screening analysis aimed at the definition of an optimum configuration of a Rankine cycle solar-powered air conditioner designed for residential application were conducted. Initial studies revealed that system performance and cost were extremely sensitive to condensing temperature and to the type of condenser used in the system. Consequently, the screening analyses were concerned with the generation of parametric design data for different condenser approaches; i. e., (1) an ambient air condenser, (2) a humidified ambient air condenser (3) an evaporative condenser, and (4) a water condenser (with a cooling tower). All systems feature a high performance turbocompressor and a single refrigerant (R-11) for the power and refrigeration loops. Data were obtained by computerized methods developed to permit system characterization over a broad range of operating and design conditions. The criteria used for comparison of the candidate system approaches were (1) overall system COP (refrigeration effect/solar heat input), (2) auxiliary electric power for fans and pumps, and (3) system installed cost or cost to the user.

• Research Organization: AiResearch Mfg. Co., Los Angeles, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: NAS8-30758
• OSTI ID: 7294608
• Report Number(s): N-76-30659; NASA-CR-149974; AIRESEARCH-74-10996(7)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
HOUSES
SOLAR AIR CONDITIONING
RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
SOLAR AIR CONDITIONERS
OPTIMIZATION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPRESSORS
COST
DESIGN
PERFORMANCE
WORKING FLUIDS
AIR CONDITIONERS
AIR CONDITIONING
APPLIANCES
BUILDINGS
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
FLUIDS
GAS APPLIANCES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
140901* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling
140909 - Solar Thermal Utilization- Miscellaneous Solar Applications- (1980-)