Design Of A Solar Adsorption Ice-Making Machine In Antsiranana, Madagascar

Abstract

This work presents the first experimental demonstration of a locally built solar adsorption ice-making machine in Madagascar, using the activated carbon AC-35 / methanol pair in Antsiranana. Two experimental tests carried out in May 2023 produced up to 2,47 kg (3,53 kg/m²/day) and 2,84 kg of ice (4,06 kg/m²/day) respectively, both exceeding the Mhiri & El Golli (1996) reference of 3,05 kg/m²/day despite regeneration temperatures below the nominal value. These results are based on a complete thermodynamic study and the sizing of a prototype founded on the Dubinin-Astakhov (D-A) model, with the analytical calculation of adsorbed masses and the construction of the Clapeyron thermodynamic cycle. Operating temperatures are established under worst-case conditions from twelve years of climatic data from Antsiranana : . The thermal balance gives for a nominal production of 3 kg of ice per day, , a consistent with the literature range for this pair (0,38–0,55, Passos and al. 1986), and a in the upper range of solar adsorption refrigeration. The hexagonal aluminum-zinc sheet adsorber (, ) constitutes a constructive innovation suited to local manufacturing, with a moderate thermal penalty of relative to copper. These results confirm the technical viability and reproducibility of solar adsorption refrigeration under Madagascar's climatic conditions.