What is it about?

This study examines the potential of utilizing solar energy to cool milk on small rural dairy farms in Mexico. Many of these farms lack access to electricity, making it hard to keep milk fresh after milking. The researchers designed and evaluated a refrigeration system powered by solar collectors, using a special fluid mixture (monomethylamine and water) instead of the traditional options. The system quickly cools milk to safe storage temperatures, helping reduce bacterial growth and preserving milk quality until it can be transported. Computer simulations showed that the system could operate effectively in semi-tropical climates, providing reliable cooling for daily milk production while reducing dependence on costly or unavailable electricity.

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Why is it important?

Milk spoils quickly in hot climates, especially in rural areas without electricity. Without refrigeration, farmers can only sell part of their production, losing income and reducing overall milk supply. This work is significant because it proposes a sustainable and affordable solution utilizing solar energy and an alternative refrigerant mixture that performs well under moderate conditions. It could improve food safety, support rural economies, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels for cooling.

Perspectives

From a technical standpoint, the study demonstrates the potential of monomethylamine-water as a working fluid in solar-powered absorption refrigeration. This choice avoids some of the problems of conventional fluids like ammonia or lithium bromide, while achieving reasonable coefficients of performance under real climatic conditions. The integration of evacuated tube solar collectors and precooling steps improves system efficiency. For experts, this paper offers a valuable case study in adapting renewable energy technologies to practical challenges in rural food preservation, bridging thermodynamic modeling with social impact.

Professor Rosenberg J Romero
Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Performance evaluation of a monomethylamine–water solar absorption refrigeration system for milk cooling purposes, Applied Thermal Engineering, May 2004, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/s1359-4311(03)00087-5.
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