Hybrid solar-geothermal energy absorption air-conditioning system operating with NaOH-H20 - Las Tres Vírgenes (Baja California Sur), "La Reforma" case

Abstract

Solar and geothermal energies are considered cleaner and more useful energy sources that can be used to avoid the negative environmental impacts caused by burning fossil fuels. Several works have reported air-conditioning systems that use solar energy coupled to geothermal renewable energy as a thermal source. In this study, an Absorption Air-Conditioning System (AACS) used sodium hydroxide-water (NaOH-H2O) instead of lithium bromide-water to reduce the cost. Low enthalpy geothermal heat was derived from two shallow wells, 50 and 55 m deep. These wells are of interest due to the thermal recovery (temperature vs. time) of 56.2 _C that was possible at the maximum depth, which can be used for the first stage of the process. These wells were coupled with solar energy as a geothermal energy application for direct uses such as air-conditioning systems. We studied the performance of an absorption cooling system operating with a NaOH-H2O mixture and using a parabolic trough plant coupled with a low enthalpy geothermal heat system as a hybrid heat source, as an alternative process that can help reduce operating costs and carbon dioxide emissions.