Development of a Small Dual-Chamber Solar PV-Powered Evaporative Cooling System for Fruit and Vegetable Cooling with Techno-Economic Assessment
This study evaluates a solar PV-powered evaporative cooling system for vegetable cooling. The system features dual cooling chambers with two different biomass pads, operating at different temperatures. To assess its potential, the research examines the evolution of temperature and humidity of the co...
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MDPI AG
2024-08-01
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| Series: | AgriEngineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/6/3/149 |
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| author | Macmanus Chinenye Ndukwu Godwin Usoh Godwin Akpan Leonard Akuwueke Inemesit Ekop Promise Etim Emmanuel Okon Sam Linus Oriaku Prince Omenyi Emeka Oleka Fidelis Abam |
| author_facet | Macmanus Chinenye Ndukwu Godwin Usoh Godwin Akpan Leonard Akuwueke Inemesit Ekop Promise Etim Emmanuel Okon Sam Linus Oriaku Prince Omenyi Emeka Oleka Fidelis Abam |
| author_sort | Macmanus Chinenye Ndukwu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study evaluates a solar PV-powered evaporative cooling system for vegetable cooling. The system features dual cooling chambers with two different biomass pads, operating at different temperatures. To assess its potential, the research examines the evolution of temperature and humidity of the cooling chamber, evaporative effectiveness, cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), energy metrics, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall cost. The results show that the system achieved a temperature depression range of 0.22 to 5.2 °C and 0.57 to 10.94 °C for wood shavings and polyurethane foam, respectively, under no-load conditions, while the values were 0.79 to 4.7 °C and 1.22 to 9.88 °C, with average values of 3.09 and 7.0 °C, for the same materials under loaded conditions. Loaded conditions also yielded a cooling capacity of 5.7 to 33.93 W for wood shavings and 8.13 to 75.55 W for polyurethane foam. The cooling efficiency ranged from 19.9 to 96.42% for polyurethane foam and 3.62 to 60% for wood shavings. The system’s COP was higher than that of solar-powered mechanical chillers, ranging from 2.37 to 22.92. The energy production factor was 2.3 to 2.4, with a lifecycle conversion efficiency of 0.5 and an energy payback time of 1.1 and 2.2 years for using polyurethane foam and wood shavings, respectively. The net present value was positive, and the levelized cost of energy was low, at 36.7 to 38.3 NGN/kWh (0.043–0.045 USD/kWh), making it a viable alternative to grid-based energy systems in Nigeria. Additionally, the system offers significant CO<sub>2</sub> mitigation potential, with estimated carbon credits of NGN 65,059 (USD 71.56) and NGN 98,576.49 (USD 108.43) over its lifetime. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-01a4e69a3ba04ebfa391e6942f5b63bd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2624-7402 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | AgriEngineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-01a4e69a3ba04ebfa391e6942f5b63bd2025-08-20T01:56:02ZengMDPI AGAgriEngineering2624-74022024-08-01632553257610.3390/agriengineering6030149Development of a Small Dual-Chamber Solar PV-Powered Evaporative Cooling System for Fruit and Vegetable Cooling with Techno-Economic AssessmentMacmanus Chinenye Ndukwu0Godwin Usoh1Godwin Akpan2Leonard Akuwueke3Inemesit Ekop4Promise Etim5Emmanuel Okon Sam6Linus Oriaku7Prince Omenyi8Emeka Oleka9Fidelis Abam10Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia P.M.B. 7267, Abia State, NigeriaDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo P.M.B. 1167, Akwa Ibom State, NigeriaDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo P.M.B. 1167, Akwa Ibom State, NigeriaDepartment of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia P.M.B. 7267, Abia State, NigeriaDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo P.M.B. 1167, Akwa Ibom State, NigeriaDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo P.M.B. 1167, Akwa Ibom State, NigeriaDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo P.M.B. 1167, Akwa Ibom State, NigeriaNational Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike 440101, Abia State, NigeriaDepartment of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia P.M.B. 7267, Abia State, NigeriaDepartment of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia P.M.B. 7267, Abia State, NigeriaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Cross River State, NigeriaThis study evaluates a solar PV-powered evaporative cooling system for vegetable cooling. The system features dual cooling chambers with two different biomass pads, operating at different temperatures. To assess its potential, the research examines the evolution of temperature and humidity of the cooling chamber, evaporative effectiveness, cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), energy metrics, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall cost. The results show that the system achieved a temperature depression range of 0.22 to 5.2 °C and 0.57 to 10.94 °C for wood shavings and polyurethane foam, respectively, under no-load conditions, while the values were 0.79 to 4.7 °C and 1.22 to 9.88 °C, with average values of 3.09 and 7.0 °C, for the same materials under loaded conditions. Loaded conditions also yielded a cooling capacity of 5.7 to 33.93 W for wood shavings and 8.13 to 75.55 W for polyurethane foam. The cooling efficiency ranged from 19.9 to 96.42% for polyurethane foam and 3.62 to 60% for wood shavings. The system’s COP was higher than that of solar-powered mechanical chillers, ranging from 2.37 to 22.92. The energy production factor was 2.3 to 2.4, with a lifecycle conversion efficiency of 0.5 and an energy payback time of 1.1 and 2.2 years for using polyurethane foam and wood shavings, respectively. The net present value was positive, and the levelized cost of energy was low, at 36.7 to 38.3 NGN/kWh (0.043–0.045 USD/kWh), making it a viable alternative to grid-based energy systems in Nigeria. Additionally, the system offers significant CO<sub>2</sub> mitigation potential, with estimated carbon credits of NGN 65,059 (USD 71.56) and NGN 98,576.49 (USD 108.43) over its lifetime.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/6/3/149vegetable coolingsolar energygreenhouse gas mitigationrefrigerationcold storage |
| spellingShingle | Macmanus Chinenye Ndukwu Godwin Usoh Godwin Akpan Leonard Akuwueke Inemesit Ekop Promise Etim Emmanuel Okon Sam Linus Oriaku Prince Omenyi Emeka Oleka Fidelis Abam Development of a Small Dual-Chamber Solar PV-Powered Evaporative Cooling System for Fruit and Vegetable Cooling with Techno-Economic Assessment AgriEngineering vegetable cooling solar energy greenhouse gas mitigation refrigeration cold storage |
| title | Development of a Small Dual-Chamber Solar PV-Powered Evaporative Cooling System for Fruit and Vegetable Cooling with Techno-Economic Assessment |
| title_full | Development of a Small Dual-Chamber Solar PV-Powered Evaporative Cooling System for Fruit and Vegetable Cooling with Techno-Economic Assessment |
| title_fullStr | Development of a Small Dual-Chamber Solar PV-Powered Evaporative Cooling System for Fruit and Vegetable Cooling with Techno-Economic Assessment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of a Small Dual-Chamber Solar PV-Powered Evaporative Cooling System for Fruit and Vegetable Cooling with Techno-Economic Assessment |
| title_short | Development of a Small Dual-Chamber Solar PV-Powered Evaporative Cooling System for Fruit and Vegetable Cooling with Techno-Economic Assessment |
| title_sort | development of a small dual chamber solar pv powered evaporative cooling system for fruit and vegetable cooling with techno economic assessment |
| topic | vegetable cooling solar energy greenhouse gas mitigation refrigeration cold storage |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/6/3/149 |
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