Key words: Solar energy, Absorption refrigeration, Ammonia-water, Simulation, COP.

Abstract: A steady state computer simulation model has been developed to predict the performance of an absorption refrigeration system using NH3-H2O as a working pair and driven by solar energy. It satisfies the air-conditioning supplies of a classroom. The absorption system includes an absorber, a generator, a condenser, an evaporator and a liquid heat exchanger. It uses a solar collector to achieve the thermal necessities of the vapor generator. The model is based on detailed mass and energy balances and heat and mass transfer relationships. The effects of the coefficient of performance and effectiveness of heat exchangers on the key operational parameters are investigated. To eliminate the numerical errors, thermodynamic properties of the working pair are taken from the EES software. The results show that the COP of the system can reach a value greater than 0.4. The effectiveness increase leads to an increase in COP of about 55%.