Solar-Powered Air Conditioning System Using a Mixture of Glycerin and Water to Store Energy

Abstract

A solar-powered air conditioning system comprising an energy-storage medium of 5%-10% glycerin and 90%-95% water in a thermally insulated container, a solar photovoltaic panel, a vapor-compression refrigeration unit driven by a DC motor powered directly by the solar photovoltaic panel, a heat-exchange coil to cool a stream of air by the energy-storage medium, and a ventilation apparatus to circulate the cooled air. In the presence of sunlight, the electrical current generated by the solar panels drives the vapor-compression refrigeration unit to freeze the mixture of glycerin and water. In the absence of sunlight, the frozen mixture of glycerin and water keeps temperature low. The flowing air cooled by heat-exchange coils through the energy-storage medium circulates in the room or the entire building to keep the space cool.

1 . A solar-powered air-conditioning system comprising:
 an energy-storage medium of 5%-10% glycerin and 90%-95% water in an insulated container;   a solar photovoltaic panel facing the Sun;   a vapor-compression refrigeration unit driven by a DC motor powered directly by solar photovoltaic panel to freeze the energy-storage medium;   a heat-exchange coil to cool a stream of air through the frozen energy-storage medium;   a ventilation apparatus to circulate the cooled air.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the ventilation system is controlled by a thermostat to keep the room temperature near the preset value. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the solar power is turned off if the temperature of the energy-storage medium is below a preset value. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the ventilation system is attached to the energy-storage container to directly circulate the cooled air in a room. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the ventilation system is a set of ducts running through a building or part of a building with fans or blowers to circulate air into the rooms of the building. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the electrical current from the solar panel is controlled by a switch such that if the temperature of the energy-storage medium is lower than a preset value then the electrical current is turned off.