Automation of a solar adsorption refrigeration system

The purpose of this paper is to present the automation of a solar adsorption refrigeration system powered by a parabolic trough concentrator. This automation consists of the introduction of some adequate components such as solenoid valves, sensors (pressure, temperature and level) and pumps, which will be piloted by a programmable logic controller. Besides, to produce the electric energy necessary to the working of this refrigeration system and therefore to make it totally autonomous, a second system has been designed; it is composed of a parabolic dish reflector and a turbine coupled to an alternator that converts the mechanical work into electricity. Furthermore, in order to store the excess thermal energy delivered by the concentrator, a subsystem constituted of a pump and a supplementary reservoir is integrated to the main refrigeration system; the stored heat could serve to a domestic use. In addition to entire autonomy purpose of the unit during cold production, the simulation results showed that the proposed automation could enhance the system performance.