Computer simulation and expert system development for the solar-assisted absorption type refrigeration system.

Abstract

A computer model for the solar assisted double effect absorption type air conditioning system is developed. Based on the system component's thermodynamic modeling, the energy, mass and material balance principles are used in the computer program. The computer model is flexible so that a parametric study of the air conditioning system can be performed with ease and efficiency. A number of external and design parameters are identified for the purpose of analyzing the system performance. In order to gain a better understanding of the dynamic behavior of the absorption system, two tests for system response are performed. First, a step disturbance in the heat input to the first generator is imposed. Second, a sinusoidal variation about the mean heat input is introduced, and after all the transients die out and a steady oscillation in the output is established, the amplitude and the phase angle are recorded. Thus frequency response curves are found by varying frequency over the range of interest. A detailed irreversibility study on the cycle components is performed. Finally, an expert system is developed which incorporates the results from the computer simulation program. In addition, a consultation case is presented to demonstrate the main features of the absorption expert system.