Assessment of the thermal performance of Norit activated carbons in solar adsorption refrigeration systems
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Solar adsorption refrigeration is a promising solution for addressing the challenges of climate change and meeting the growing demand for sustainable energy by directly harnessing solar thermal energy while reducing the environmental impact of traditional refrigerants. This study compares five varieties of Norit activated carbon with methanol (Norit R 1 Extra, Norit RX 3 Extra, Norit PK1-3, Norit ROZ3, and Norit RB) by evaluating adsorption isotherms, cyclic mass, and thermal and solar performance coefficients under the climatic conditions of Algiers in June. The thermal performance coefficients range from 0.63 to 0.33, and the solar performance coefficients range from 0.64 to 0.01. High solar radiation influences the choice of adsorbent-adsorbate pair, highlighting the importance of further research to optimize solar refrigeration systems in regions with high solar potential, such as the Algerian Sahara.
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