Cooling systems using adsorption are described. The cooling systems use an adsorption cycle without continuous heat input and over a long duration. The cooling system can function by vaporizing a liquid at a reduced pressure. The cooling systems have applications in developing countries, in both arid and non-arid regions, allowing, for example, for the operation of refrigerators and small air conditioners without electrical input. The cooling systems can be used for cold storage. The cooling systems can present a greener alternative to conventional cooling methods in developed countries.

Provided is an hybrid solar heat absorption cooling system comprising: an absorption refrigerator; a solar heat steam generator configured to generate steam using solar heat; a daytime steam supplying unit configured to supply steam generated by the solar heat steam generator during the day as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a daytime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the day; a nighttime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the daytime hot water storage tank during the night as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a nighttime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the night; and a daytime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the nighttime hot water storage tank during the day to the solar heat steam generator.

A method for producing electrical energy is disclosed which uses a heat source, such as solar heat, geothermal heat, industrial waste heat or heat from power production processes, providing heat of 150 C. or below, further comprising an absorber system in which a working gas, primarily carbon dioxide CO2, is absorbed into an absorbent, typically an amine, further comprising a reactor which receives heat from said heat source and in which the absorbent-CO2 mixture is split into CO2 and absorbent, further comprising an expansion machine, an electricity generator and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, pipes and heat exchangers. The system according to the method allows the cost-efficient production of electrical energy and cooling using low value heat source.

A refrigeration and/or heat transfer device includes a heating section and cooling section, a release member, and a one-way check valve affixed together in a continuous loop so working fluid may flow in one direction therein. The heating section absorbs heat and transfers such heat to the working fluid, thereby heating, expanding and increasing pressure upon the working fluid therein. The pressurized working fluid is released in a regulated manner from the heating section to the cooling section, thereby carrying the heat away. The released working fluid cools and transfers its heat to the surroundings within the cooling section. As released working fluid enters the cooling section, such fluid displaces already cooled working fluid, pushing such fluid through the one-way check valve back into the heating section to absorb heat. The working fluid may undergo a phase change or remain in a single phase throughout to enhance heat transfer.

A co-fired generator for use in a continuous-cycle absorption heating and cooling system may provide heat to the interior of an annulus chamber from a first heat exchanger, such as a firetube heat exchanger, supplemented by heat to the exterior of the annulus chamber from a second heat exchanger containing fluid heated by an external source. Some embodiments may circulate fluid heated in a solar-heated collector through the second heat exchanger. Other embodiments may route exhaust gas from a combustion engine through the second heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger may be provided with a plurality of fins to increase the surface area available for thermal transfer between the heated fluid and the annulus chamber.

A thermal energy supply system, including: a solar concentrating device, a solar storage tank including a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, a biomass power station including a biomass boiler, a central refrigeration and ice maker, and a central hot water supply tank. The solar concentrating device is connected to the solar storage tank. The inlet of the first heat exchanger of the solar storage tank is connected to the outlet of a feedwater pump of the biomass boiler. The outlet of the first heat exchanger is connected to the inlet of a water feeding system of the biomass boiler. The inlet pipe of the second heat exchanger of the solar storage tank is connected to the outlet pipe of a water purification plant. The outlet of the second heat exchanger is connected to a thermal energy input pipe of the central refrigeration and ice maker.

The integrated solar absorption heat pump system includes an absorption heat pump assembly (AHPA) having a generator, a condenser in fluid communication with the generator, an evaporator/absorber in fluid communication with the condenser and the generator, and a heat exchanger in communicating relation with the evaporator/absorber; a solar collector in fluid communication with the generator of the AHPA; a photovoltaic thermal collector in communicating relation with the evaporator/absorber of the AHPA; a plurality of pumps configured for pumping a fluid throughout the system to provide the desired heating or cooling; a power storage source, e.g., a solar battery, in communicating relation with the photovoltaic thermal collector; and a coil unit in communicating relation to the evaporator/absorber for receiving an air-stream. The absorption heat pump assembly can include an absorber and a solution heat exchanger.

An adsorption based system is provided for the selective cooling and heating of a vehicle compartment using by-product water collected from a power generating unit of a vehicle. The system may include a fuel cell stack and an exhaust conduit configured to transfer an exhaust stream from the fuel cell stack. A water reservoir stores by-product water collected from the exhaust stream. The system may include a coolant loop configured to circulate a coolant fluid. A detachable adsorption subsystem is in thermal communication with the coolant loop and the exhaust conduit, and may include an evaporator and an adsorbent bed. The adsorption subsystem is configured to: vaporize water from the water reservoir using the evaporator; adsorb the vaporized water, thereby cooling a portion of the coolant fluid; regenerate the adsorbent bed using heat from the exhaust stream to release water vapor; and direct the water vapor into the exhaust conduit.

The solar-powered LiBr-water absorption air conditioning system using hybrid storage includes one or more solar collectors generating heat energy to drive the system. The solar collector communicates with a generator to heat an aqueous LiBr solution and release refrigerant through vaporization. The refrigerant feeds into a condenser to form a refrigerant condensate. The condensate feeds into an evaporator, which throttles the refrigerant and causes flash vaporization, resulting in cooling discharged into a load. The refrigerant from the evaporator feeds into an absorber containing a weak LiBr-water mixture from the generator to facilitate absorption of the refrigerant. A pump feeds the resultant aqueous LiBr solution back to the generator for another cycle. The hybrid storage includes a combination of heat storage tank, refrigerant storage tank, and/or a cold water tank coupled to the generator, condenser, and the evaporator to supplement driving or additional cooling during nighttime for continuous daily operation.

A system comprises on the one hand a spiral plate exchanger coiled around a principal axis of the exchanger, in particular oriented vertically, so as to delimit a first fluid flow channel having a cross section in the shape of a spiral discharging at a first axial extremity of the exchanger at an inlet zone of which the overall size is contained within a crown, and on the other hand a distribution device configured in order to supply in a homogeneous manner the whole of the surface of the said crown with at least a first fluid, in particular a liquid.