Optimum heat storage design for solar‐driven absorption refrigerators integrated with heat exchanger networks

Abstract

A methodology is presented for optimizing hybrid renewable energy-fossil fuel systems with short-term heat storage. The considered system is an absorption-refrigeration (AR) cycle integrated with a heat exchanger network (HEN) requiring cooling below ambient temperature. The AR cycle can be driven by multiple energy sources including excess energy from hot process streams, renewable energy sources (solar and biofuels), and fossil fuels. A two-step approach based on mixed integer nonlinear programming methods is used for the optimization. First, the problem of optimal energy integration in the hybrid energy system without heat storage is solved on a monthly basis by minimizing simultaneously the total annual cost and the overall greenhouse gas emissions. In the second step, the multi-tank thermal energy storage (TES) design problem is solved. The design involves the identification of the optimal number of storage tanks, their sizes, configuration and operation policies. The TES optimization is carried out on an hourly basis while incorporating the design targets determined by the first step. V C 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 909-930, 2014

Optimal design and integration of solar thermal collection, storage, and dispatch with process cogeneration systems

“…Guédez et al (2014) proposed an optimization approach for thermal storage systems for solar power plants. Lira-Barragán et al (2014) developed an approach for thermal storage of solar energy for subsequent use in absorption refrigeration systems.…”

Simultaneous design and operation optimization of renewable combined cooling heating and power systems

“…In order to catch the nonlinear behavior of component performance, mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) has been adopted to manage energy system design and operation. Lira‐Barragan et al 17 developed a two‐step MINLP method for optimizing hybrid renewable energy‐fossil fuel systems with heat storage, where total annual cost was first minimized to determine the optimal energy integration without heat storage and then thermal energy storage system design problem was solved to finalize tank sizes, configuration, and operation policies. Elsido et al 18 presented an MINLP formulation for studying the optimal design and daily operation of a combined heat and power (CHP) system.…”

“…Moreover, it is difficult to assess how far the suboptimal design deviates from the real practice. MINLP formulation can capture component nonlinear behavior; however, its combinatorial and nonconvex nature makes solution computationally expensive and thus is only applicable to small‐scale problems 17‐20 . Hence, for tackling large‐scale problems without compromising solution accuracy, there is a need to address this issue and at the same time include performance degradation for renewable CCHP design and operation.…”

Optimal Design of Integrated Solar Power Plants Accounting for the Thermal Storage System and CO2 Mitigation through an Algae System

“…Renewable energy represents an attractive option to replace the use of fossil fuels for producing electric energy and for decreasing the environmental impact . Several studies have been proposed to enhance the performance of electricity generation through hybrid power plants and cogeneration systems that combine fossil fuels along with renewable energy (e.g., Rankine cycle and concentrating solar power “CSP”). , Different types of solar collectors have been integrated to improve the performance of these power plants. − …”

“…1 Several studies have been proposed to enhance the performance of electricity generation through hybrid power plants and cogeneration systems that combine fossil fuels along with renewable energy (e.g., Rankine cycle and concentrating solar power "CSP"). 2,3 Different types of solar collectors have been integrated to improve the performance of these power plants. 4−6 Under this context, Tora and El-Halwagi proposed a systematic approach for designing integrated solar systems to yield a stable power outlet, 7 then Tora and El-Halwagi incorporated absorption refrigerators 8 and trigeneration systems.…”