Simulation of Solar Assisted Absorption Cooling and Electricity Generation along with Thermal Storage

Authors: Faezeh Mosallat, Eric L. Bibeau, Tarek El Mekkawy

Abstract:

Parabolic solar trough systems have seen limited deployments in cold northern climates as they are more suitable for electricity production in southern latitudes. A numerical dynamic model is developed to simulate troughs installed in cold climates and validated using a parabolic solar trough facility in Winnipeg. The model is developed in Simulink and will be utilized to simulate a trigeneration system for heating, cooling and electricity generation in remote northern communities. The main objective of this simulation is to obtain operational data of solar troughs in cold climates and use the model to determine ways to improve the economics and address cold weather issues. In this paper the validated Simulink model is applied to simulate a solar assisted absorption cooling system along with electricity generation using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and thermal storage. A control strategy is employed to distribute the heated oil from solar collectors among the above three systems considering the temperature requirements. This modelling provides dynamic performance results using measured meteorological data recorded every minute at the solar facility location. The purpose of this modeling approach is to accurately predict system performance at each time step considering the solar radiation fluctuations due to passing clouds. Optimization of the controller in cold temperatures is another goal of the simulation to for example minimize heat losses in winter when energy demand is high and solar resources are low. The solar absorption cooling is modeled to use the generated heat from the solar trough system and provide cooling in summer for a greenhouse which is located next to the solar field. The results of the simulation are presented for a summer day in Winnipeg which includes comparison of performance parameters of the absorption cooling and ORC systems at different heat transfer fluid (HTF) temperatures.

Keywords: Absorption cooling, parabolic solar trough, remote community, organic Rankine cycle.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1100482

References:

[1] H. M. Henning, “Solar assisted air conditioning of buildings – an overview,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 27, 2007, pp. 1734–1749.
[2] K. F. Fong, T. T. Chow, C. K. Lee, Z. Lin, L. S. Chan, “Comparative study of different solar cooling systems for buildings in subtropical city,” Solar Energy, vol. 84, 2010, pp. 227–244.
[3] V. Boopathi Raja, V. Shanmugam, “A review and new approach to minimize the cost of solar assisted absorption cooling system,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 16, 2012, pp. 6725- 6731.
[4] M. Citterio, G. Corallo, G. Guj, A. Vangelista, B. Di Pietra,“Solar air conditioning with high temperature solar collectors and water ammonia absorption heat pump,” 61st ATI National Congress, International Session “Solar Heating and Cooling”.
[5] N. Hartmann, C. Glueck, F.P. Schmidt, “Solar cooling for small office buildings: Comparison of solar thermal and photovoltaic options for two different European climates,” Renewable Energy, vol. 36, 2011, pp. 1329-1338.
[6] J. P. Praene, O. Marc, F. Lucas, F. Miranville, “Simulation and experimental investigation of solar absorption cooling system in Reunion Island,” Applied Energy, vol. 88, 2011, pp. 831–839.
[7] H, Price, V. Hassani, “Modular Trough Power Plant Cycle and Systems Analysis,” Technical report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, January 2002.
[8] A. C. McMahan, “Design & Optimization of Organic Rankine Cycle Solar-Thermal Power plants,” University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2006.
[9] R. Forristall, “Heat Transfer Analysis and Modeling of a Parabolic Trough Solar Receiver Implemented in Engineering Equation Solver,” Technical report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, October 2003.