Process, cost and environmental impact analysis of a solar adsorption cooling system for telecommunications Shelters

Abstract

Algérie Télécom is a joint-stock company in the telecommunications networks and services sector. To protect its equipment from extreme weather, the company deploys Shelters globally, shielding the equipment from harsh climate conditions. However, these structures face challenges in dissipating internal heat generated by active equipment, especially in desert regions where summer temperatures in the shade exceed 45 °C. Maintaining an internal temperature below 35 °C is crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of the equipment. This study examines a more efficient solution based on solar-powered adsorption cooling using the AC35 activated carbon-methanol pair, backed by a developed thermodynamic model and a numerical simulation algorithm to analyze the system’s behavior. The results show that, over an ambient temperature range of 15 °C to 45 °C and heat dissipation from 1.5 kW to 8.5 kW, the thermal power exchanged by the desorber varies from 5.52 kW to 382.5 kW, while that of the condenser ranges from 3 to 200 kW. Additionally, the mass flow rate of the refrigerant fluid increases proportionally with the heat absorbed by the desorber, rising from 2.58 g/s to 175.62 g/s. Economically, adopting adsorption cooling would reduce total energy investment costs by 48.3%, saving approximately USD 394,600 per station. Furthermore, the environmental impact is significant, with CO₂ emissions reductions estimated between 1.1 and 6.6 tons per station annually.