Using the Heat of Sun to Cool: A Case Study of 100 TR (350kWth) Solar Air-Conditioning System
Abstract
This case study presents the solar assisted cooling technology of 100 TR developed by using double effect Li-Br absorption chiller and running since last 10 years at Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Center (KCHRC) run by an NGO Muni Seva Ashram near Vadodara, Gujarat, India. The cooling load of the cancer hospital is 600 TR and provided by the biomass-fired boiler. The key object of opting for solar air conditioning was to reduce the biomass consumption. After the implementation of the system, out of 600 TR, 100TR is generated with the solar thermal cooling system. This technology designed and established with double effect evaporator runs with steam which is generated by Scheffler dishes (solar concentrator). Solar generated steam is sent to double effect vapor absorption Li-Br chiller which chills the water to 6°C. This water is piped to the cancer hospital (cooling area) and is sent to Air Handling Units (AHU) which chills the air and ducts to the central air-conditioning system in the cancer hospital. Being sustainable, the institution was looking for replacing and saving wood and thus use of solar concentrator was a perfect and economical solution for cooling. The success of this system, along with the economic benefits, will lead to many new solar thermal cooling systems in developing countries and hopefully, will spread to other countries all over the globe.