Performance analysis of a geothermal heat-powered resorption cooling system: a case study for cold storage of apple fruit

Abstract

Renewable energy use in agricultural applications is essential for sustainable production. Resorption cooling systems can be operated for agricultural cooling applications by using thermal energy derived from geothermal springs with sufficient temperature. Since the resorption cycle uses ammonia-water solution, cold storage and industrial cooling processes below 0°C can be actualized efficiently. In this article, a geothermal powered resorption system for cold storage of apple fruit is investigated. Technical features and cooling performance of the resorption system are analysed and compared to the other conventional cooling systems. Results showed that, geothermal powered resorption cooling systems can annually cover the cooling load of the cold storage application with adequate cooling temperature and capacity. Moreover, the use of the geothermal powered resorption system enables to set up safer and more economic cooling applications with the similar cooling performance compared with the alternative sorption cooling systems, and provides substantial economic benefits by reducing the cooling costs in agricultural production with lower operational costs.