Some cooling systems are powered by a small gas flame. Can this process be accomplished using solar heat.?

Answer 1

Yes. These gas powered "absorbtion cycle" units could possibly be converted to solar power for the heat source. There is still some electrical power required for a small circulating pump, but it is a lot less than the electrical power required for a "Vapor compression cycle" unit.

Answer 2

you are not the only person asking this question, so it must be a good one. See below:

Why do we need to manufacture an absorption refrigeration system using solar energy to assist in the process? The answer to this question is quite clear. If refrigeration can be achieved using solar energy solely, operation costs will be kept to a minimum. The only cost of operation would be the preventative maintenance associated with the system’s use. Although this seems like a tremendous advantage by itself, there is more! There are many locations around the world where electrical power is not readily available. Third world countries have little or no access to any electrical currents. This product would be a phenomenal advantage to these locations where intense medical attention is needed. The solar powered refrigeration unit could be used to keep various medicines cool for extended lengths of time. This may seem far-fetched, but some medicines or even organs for that matter need to be refrigerated for safety concerns and effectiveness. Currently, there is no means to achieve this level of refrigeration without traditional electricity. This product could save the lives of thousands with one fairly simple system. It would also be of great benefit to anyone when there is no bill associated with its operation. This is just one of many relevant examples describing how important this product is to our world today.

The above was taken from:
http://www.eng.fsu.edu/ME_senior_design/2000/team07/absorpti.htm

Answer 3

Maybe, but it wouldn't be all that easy. What you want to learn about are 'absorption systems.' There are a lot of different ones, but the main principle is that when you mix pure ammonia gas with water, the process absorbs heat from the surrounding air. Then you circulate the ammonia-water mix (they insist on calling it 'liquor' for some reason) into a chamber where the gas flame boils the ammonia out of the water. Then you re-circulate the separated ammonia and the water back to the cooled section of the machine and combine them once again. There are a bunch of tricks they use with hydrogen gas to eliminate the need for a circulation pump.

I think the problem with a solar-powered absorption system would be to obtain a temperature high enough to boil the ammonia out of the water. You'd need a fairly big and reliable concentrator.

Interesting problem, though.

Answer 4

specific, although this is amazingly costly. First, you'll want an entire 24 hour/day image voltaic equipment with 8-12 panels, can charge Controller, critical administration Panel/ Inverter, great Battery economic corporation (approximately 12 golfing Cart length). you may then set up a gas Air Conditioner (Ammonia Cycle) which makes use of Propane, yet no longer lots electric powered ability. The equipment will in all likelihood cost approximately $40 5,000. I surely have a house in Mexico close to the place a lot of people have no grid ability and that they use this sort of equipment. all of them surely have a lower back up diesel generator that cost approximately $9000. this is extremely costly. maximum anybody i know contain attempting to get the electrical powered grid into their section.

Answer 5

You could use solar panels to collect energy and then use that energy to increase the temperature of a heating element. I don't know what the efficiency would be between the two methods but in esscence all you need is heat, it doesn't matter where that heat comes from.

Answer 6

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