What is it about?
This study examines the potential application of a novel mixture of monomethylamine and water in solar-powered cooling systems. Traditional refrigeration systems often require high generator temperatures or use fluids that are not environmentally friendly. The researchers modeled how this new working fluid behaves in a single-stage absorption refrigeration cycle—a system that converts solar heat into cooling power. They tested generator temperatures between 60°C and 80°C, which are low enough to be achieved using simple flat-plate solar collectors. The results show that the system can efficiently produce cooling for air conditioning or food preservation, even in rural areas without access to electricity.
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Why is it important?
The monomethylamine–water mixture enables the development of efficient and eco-friendly refrigeration systems powered by low-temperature solar energy. This is especially useful in places where electricity is scarce or expensive. The study demonstrates that this solution can achieve good performance (high coefficients of performance) at moderate pressures, making it safer and easier to maintain than ammonia–water systems. These findings support the development of sustainable cooling technologies that can improve food storage, reduce waste, and enhance living conditions in hot climates.
Perspectives
From a technical standpoint, the research provides a detailed thermodynamic analysis of monomethylamine–water as a working pair in solar absorption refrigeration. The study evaluates both basic and refined cycles, including a heat recovery exchanger that significantly improves system efficiency. Results show that the refined cycle reaches coefficients of performance above 0.6 at generator temperatures as low as 70°C. This performance, combined with low-pressure operation, positions the monomethylamine–water system as a strong candidate for next-generation solar cooling. The study’s rigorous modeling contributes valuable data for the optimization of renewable refrigeration technologies and their adaptation to real-world rural applications.
Professor Rosenberg J Romero
Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Thermodynamic analysis of monomethylamine–water solutions in a single-stage solar absorption refrigeration cycle at low generator temperatures, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, December 2001, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/s0927-0248(01)00071-x.
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