Print this page An Introduction to Solar Cooling Systems
J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A., Fellow ASCE, Fellow AEI
Course Outline
1. INTRODUCTION
2. ABSORPTION COOLING
3. RANKINE CYCLE HEAT ENGINE COOLING
4. DESICCANT COOLING
5. OTHER COOLING METHODS
6. ESTIMATING SYSTEM SIZE
7. SYSTEM CONTROLS
8. PIPING, PUMPS, VALVES
9. COLLECTORS
10. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Learn when solar cooling may be practicable and cost-effective, and when it is unlikely to be so;
- Learn about the two refrigerant combinations that have been used most successfully in solar-powered absorption cooling systems;
- Learn the advantages the Rankine cycle heat engine has over the Stirling and Brayton cycle heat engines for solar cooling;
- Learn how the type of collector used affects and limits the design of solar-powered absorption systems;
- Learn how the means of delivery of the heated fluid to the absorption cooler affects and limits the design of solar-powered absorption systems;
- Learn why an absorption cooler that relies on on-off cycling for temperature control has a drastically reduced average coefficient of performance;
- Learn why a cooling tower is usually required as an element in a solar-powered absorption cooling system;
- Learn the fundamental difference between the closed-cycle absorption and Rankine systems, and an open-cycle desiccant system;
- Learn about the differences between a ventilation-mode desiccant system and a recirculation-mode desiccant system; and
- Learn about other cooling methods that utilize solar heating equipment, but do not utilize the solar energy directly for cooling.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for all of the engineers, architects and construction professionals who are members of the building design and construction team.
Benefit for Attendee
Building designers and construction professionals will be introduced by this course to the technology to the potential for using solar energy for space cooling of buildings, in addition to space heating and domestic hot water heating.
Course Introduction
This is an introduction to the systems and equipment being developed to cost-effectively utilize solar energy for space cooling of buildings.
About Course Author
Paul Guyer is a registered mechanical engineer, civil engineer, fire protection engineer and architect with over 35 years experience in the design of buildings and related infrastructure. For an additional 9 years he was a senior-level advisor to the California Legislature on infrastructure and capital outlay issues. He has designed and supervised the design of hundreds of construction projects requiring the preparation of detailed working drawings and specifications for federal, state and local public agencies and private companies. He is a graduate of Stanford University and has held numerous national, state and local positions with the American Society of Civil Engineers and National Society of Professional Engineers.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
An Introduction to Solar Cooling Systems
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
Course Summary
This course will give you an introduction to the potential and limitations of systems for solar-powered space cooling of buildings.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
