M-045 An Introduction To Solar Cooling Systems

An Introduction To Solar Cooling Systems

The An Introduction To Solar Cooling Systems online PDH course is a part of the Mechanical Engineering category of courses. This course will introduce you to solar-powered cooling systems for buildings.  You will learn about absorption cooling systems, Rankine cycle heat engine cooling systems, desiccant cooling, and other solar-powered systems having potential for commercial applications.  You will be introduced to the fundamentals of system sizing, controls, piping, pumps and valves, and solar collectors.

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.

This course is intended for all engineers, architects and construction professionals who are members of the building design and construction team.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, you 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.
• Learn about other cooling methods that utilize solar heating equipment, but do not utilize the solar energy directly for cooling.