Solar cooling with small-size absorption chillers: different solutions for summer air conditioning

The research group of Applied Physics, Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Perugia, is active in all the fields of Environmental and Industrial Applied Physics. Even though it is difficult to classify all the activities, the main fields of research are applied thermodynamics, heat transfer, energy systems and environmental impact, applied acoustics, lighting technique. The experimental facilities include three laboratories: thermodynamics, environmental control, acoustics and vibrations, equipped with up to date instruments and simulation tools. As far as applied thermodynamics, the research activity deals, above all, with non conventional refrigerating machines focusing mainly on absorbtion refrigeration. In this field, thermophysical properties of new refrigerating fluids are measured and calculation codes are formulated for the simulation of the various types of machines functioning. An experimental plant has been set up for measuring a Lithium Water- Bromide refrigerating unit supplied by solar energy. Other research fields include water evaporation from open basins and production of hydrogen with unconventional systems.