Mathematical modeling and performance analysis of an integrated solar heating and cooling system driven by parabolic trough collector and double-effect absorption chiller

Abstract

With the increasing concerns on energy conservation and environmental protection, solar heating and cooling (SHC) system represents an attractive candidate in building sector. In this paper, an integrated SHC system driven by parabolic trough collector (PTC) and double-effect H2O/LiBr absorption chiller was presented. The energy generated by solar collectors was supplied to the absorption chiller during the cooling period, and was directly used for space heating with the integration of plate heat exchanger during the heating period. The mathematical models of the whole system 2 including the collector, the double-effect absorption chiller and the plate heat exchanger were established and were validated by field tests. Based on the proposed models, comparison of the SHC system and the conventional gas-driven absorption heating and cooling system was carried out by case study. The annual performances as well as energetic, economic and environmental assessments of the proposed system were investigated. Results show that, 21.3% of the primary energy consumption and 18.8% of the CO2 emission can be reduced in SHC system. Therefore, the proposed integrated solar heating and cooling system has a promising application prospect in sustainable development in view of its considerable energy saving benefits, potential economic viability and environmental friendly characteristics.

Research Summary and Literature Review on Modelling and Simulation of Heat Pumps for Simultaneous Heating and Cooling for Buildings

“…In 1987, Best et al define the interaction between hot and cold cycle temperatures [100]. Zheng et al show that an absorption machine assisted by solar collectors can achieve significant primary energy savings [101]. This heat pumping technology is not standard presently and therefore less widespread than vapor compression heat pumps.…”

Energetic, Economic and Environmental (3E) Assessment and Design of Solar-Powered HVAC Systems in Pakistan

“…Capacity = f FullLoadCapacity * f NominalCapacity * Cap Rated (10) where, f FullLoadCapacity is ratio of load divided by actual capacity and f NominalCapacity capacity at current conditions to capacity at design conditions. The model used the following relations to find the outlet temperature of the hot water (T hw,out ), chilled water (T chw,out ) and cooled water (T cw,out ) streams, (16) Performance maps for a single-stage absorption chiller are shown in Figure 6a,b. Figure 6a shows the fraction of nominal capacity as a function of cooling water inlet temperature for different chilled water temperatures, which illustrate that cooling capacity increased by reducing the cooling water temperature and setting chilled water temperature to a higher value.…”

“…Different types of collectors are available to capture solar energy and to convert it into thermal energy at different temperatures. Mostly stationary (non-concentrating) collectors (evacuated tube collector or flat plate collector) are used to harness solar energy to operate single effect chillers [14], while concentrating collectors (e.g., parabolic trough collector) were used by [15,16] to achieve the higher temperature required to operate multi-effect absorption chillers. Photovoltaic thermal collectors [17] combine photovoltaic and thermal collectors and provide both heat and electricity.…”

Design and Comparative Techno-Economic Analysis of Two Solar Polygeneration Systems Applied for Electricity, Cooling and Fresh Water Production

“…The effectiveness of the ACH heat exchanger was assumed as 0.65 in the calculations of the present study [55,56]. The following equation was used to calculate the CCH hourly electricity consumption:…”