Energy Conservation Using a Double-effect Absorption Cycle Driven by Solar Energy and Fossil Fuel

Energy conservation is a main theme nowadays in research mainly due to the recent sudden rise and wide fluctuations in energy prices. This uncertainty is viewed as an indication of reaching the depletion point of fossil fuel and consequently, energy conservation has been tackled from all various aspects. Herein, an assessment is made to evaluate the effectiveness of the cooling that result from a double-effect reversed-flow lithium bromide absorption cycle driven by a combination of solar energy and a fuel-fired boiler. The assessment is to show the cycle performance under various proportions of solar contribution to drive the cycle. The analysis was aided with a computer code that was developed specifically to evaluate the instantaneous daily total solar irradiation. The results have indicated impressive effective COP that may be obtained when varying the solar contribution whereby a potential of energy saving at least 45% when only 15% of the roof area is allocated to solar panels. The eventual goals of the study are for potential application in Jordan and in countries with similar environments with the aim to lessen the dependence on fossil fuel