The use of phase change material (PCM) to improve the coefficient of performanceof a chiller for meeting domestic cooling in Wales

This paper investigates the possibility of integrating thermal energy storage to the hot side of LiBr/H2O absorptioncooling system to cover 100% of peak cooling load for a three bedroom house on the hottest summer day in Cardiff, Wales. A shell and tube experimental systemwas designed to conduct charging and discharging experiments using Erythritol (melting point 117.7C) as a phase change material, considered to have the highestenergy density in the temperature range investigated (90C to 120C). The results show that ? Erythritol meets the requirement of an appropriate temperature range of application for the hot side of an absorption air-conditioningsystem. Erythritol store of 100 litres would provideapproximately 4.4 hours of cooling at peak load based on the optimum COP of 0.7 for LiBr/H2O absorptioncooling system.