Alternative designs for a 24-hours operating solar-powered LiBr–water absorption air-conditioning technology

•A 24-h solar-powered LiBr–water absorption air-conditioning has been investigated.•Three alternative designs systems have been studied.•Detailed thermodynamic analysis resulted in selection of the most suitable design.•Results show LiBr–H2O absorption with refrigerant storage is most suitable design.•Effect of condenser and evaporator temperatures on the suitable design discussed.

Air-conditioning systems in Saudi Arabia consume approximately 65% of the electrical energy of the building sector, which amounts to approximately 70% of the electrical energy produced in this sector. Most of the air-conditioning systems used in Saudi Arabia are of the vapor-compression type. Using solar energy to power such systems will save a large amount of electrical or mechanical energy that can be utilized in industry. Alternative designs for 24-hour-operating solar-powered lithium bromide (LiBr)–water absorption air-conditioning systems are analyzed in this study. Three alterative designs (heat storage, cold storage, and refrigerant storage) are studied. The study includes system description, features, and selection analysis. The results indicate that continuously operating solar-powered LiBr–H2O absorption with refrigerant storage is the most suitable alternative design for a 24-hour cooling effect.