Optimization of a solar water heating system for vapor absorption refrigeration system

Abstract

In this work, the optimization study of the solar collector integrated, with a thermal energy storage tank for the vapor absorption refrigeration system, was studied using TRNSYS. The performance of the integrated system was evaluated considering major contributing parameters such as solar collector area, the mass flow rate of the operating fluids, storage tank volume and height, absorber plate thickness, tube spacing, absorber tube diameter, insulation thickness, and glass thickness/properties, respectively. A physical model of the complete solar water heating (SWH) and refrigeration system was developed followed by simulation studies of the major components for optimization, and finally, the obtained results were compared with the reported data for validation. The results indicated that, by using the solar power with a serpentine tube type flat plate collector of area 24 m2 and a storage volume to a specific collector area of about 60 Lm−2, the optimized system could meet 65% of the annual thermal energy requirement for the refrigeration unit. Further, the annual performance of the optimized solar collector in terms of collector efficiency, heat removal factor, and overall heat loss coefficient was found to be about 0.32, 0.87, and 2.99 W m−2 K, respectively. In addition, the optimization approach that is adopted using TRNSYS in the present study could be used for optimizing the solar‐based energy system for various applications.

Resurrection of carbon dioxide as refrigerant in solar thermal absorption cooling systems

“…TRNSYS is a dynamic tool used in simulations of solar cooling and other applications. Reportedly, researchers have performed modeling and simulation of solar water heating [ 10 ], solar absorption cooling systems [ [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] ], hybrid solar-assisted CO 2 heat pumps [ 8 ], solar-powered Rankine cycle [ 16 ], and other thermal simulations employing TRNSYS.…”

“…The optimized system can supply 65% of the refrigeration unit's yearly thermal energy requirements. The improved solar collector's yearly performance was in terms of collector efficiency 0.32, heat removal factor 0.87, and total heat loss coefficient 2.99 W/m 2 K) [ 12 ].…”

Experimental investigation in the selection of phase change materials based on thermal stratification effect in thermal energy storage system

“…RE sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower can help alleviate climate change by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and carbon emissions 1 . RE systems have seasonal challenges, but integrating the TES system can narrow the gap between energy both supply and demand, eliminating power outages and assuring reliable electricity 2–4 . Due to their energy storage density, latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems are promising TES systems.…”

Selection of an Appropriate Solar Thermal Technology for Solar Vapor Absorption Cooling—An MADM Approach

“…A VAR cooling system with serpentine type SWH collectors was used with collector area of 24 m 2 with thermal energy storage. The system could be operated with 65% of the energy supplied from solar source [16].…”