Modelling and Analysis of a Solar Biomass Hybrid Vapour Absorption Refrigeration System for running a Cold Storage of Potato in India

Abstract

India suffers from the wastage of a large amount of agricultural produce due to the lack of proper post-harvest storage system. In this paper, an attempt has been made to propose a novel hybrid solar thermal and biomass driven refrigeration system. The refrigeration cycle used here employs a LiBr-H­­­­₂O vapour absorption refrigeration system used for storage of potatoes in cold storage. The objective of the hybrid power system proposed here is to produce a favourable micro-climate inside the cold storage throughout a calendar year irrespective of the seasonal variations in weather. The modelling equations of the proposed system have been developed and solved with the help of Engineering Equation Solver for the location of New Delhi (28^o35’ N, 77^o12’ E). The results of the proposed model are validated against a reference model study available in literature and a very good agreement is achieved with a root mean square error of 0.98% in the value of COP. A rudimentary cost analysis has also been included to assess the economic viability of the proposed system. The study thus reinforces the viability of using a solar biomass hybrid system for operation in the rural areas of a developing nation like India.