RHU mechanical engineering students Saad Ramadan and Abdel Aziz Hajj Shehadeh developed a conceptual prototype of an air conditioning system using solar energy, aiming to reduce energy bills, greenhouse emissions, and the demand for electricity in cooling applications.
RHU mechanical engineering graduate Houssam El Dine Matbouli and a master’s degree graduate from KU Leuven, joined the team and are currently developing AI (Artificial Intelligence) models of some of the system’s main components as a predictive and control tool of their behavior.
The concept of solar cooling has been recently investigated in some developed and industrial countries (like Australia). Research studies have proven solar cooling to be a promising energy-smart solution in buildings’ cooling applications with nearly zero impact on the environment. Led by Dr. Iyad Fayssal, RHU assistant professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, the team is validating complex mathematical thermo-fluid and data-driven AI models of the overall system. These models will be used to investigate its performance and applicability under Lebanon weather conditions and test extensive optimal scenarios to boost its operational efficiency.
Watch a video of this project.