Experimental performance evaluation of a combined solar system to produce cooling and potable water

• A combined solar system to produce cooling and potable water is investigated.
• The system combines a desalination unit and an intermittent absorption cooling unit.
• The desalination unit consists of an evacuated basin and a water-cooled condenser.
• The intermittent absorption cooling unit uses LiBr–H2O and employs a PV panel.
• Experimental energy efficiency of 13.75% for the entire system is recorded.

In this paper, a combined system for domestic use in rural areas is designed and constructed. This system combines simultaneously a solar desalination unit and an intermittent solar operated absorption cooling unit. The desalination unit works at sub-atmospheric pressure where decrease of the saline water evaporation pressure allows a much reduction of energy required to operate the unit. The desalination unit consists of a solar basin connected to an external water-cooled condenser. The LiBr–H2O absorption cooling unit operates intermittently to match solar operation mode. Photovoltaic panels are employed to supply heat of generation process. The experimental performance of the constructed system at different climatic conditions is presented. The most efficient performance of the system is obtained in the month of August. The maximum desalination unit efficiency and minimum evaporator temperature of absorption cooling unit are 40% and 4.7 °C, respectively. Energy efficiency of 13.75% for the entire system is recorded.

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