Area Optimization of a Flat Plate Collector for Meeting the Air Conditioning Load of an Office Building Using a Solar Vapor Absorption System

Abstract

A solar single effect vapor absorption system is designed to meet the cooling demand of an office building having a floor area of 100 m². The absorption system operating parameters are optimized using Genetic algorithm to maximize the coefficient of performance (COP). The solar insolation at a location is used as the heat source for the absorption refrigeration generator heat input. The monthly total global radiation at the location for a particular year is found. The insolation profile of a representative day of the year is the input source for the sizing of the solar flat plate collector. Also, the ambient temperature variation profile is used to dynamically simulate the system performance. The refrigeration system is integrated with the solar collector and storage tank to meet the varying cooling load. The total generator load required to meet the cooling load profile of the building is found from the vapor absorption system model in Matlab. The solar flat plate collector system is modelled in such a way that the energy output from the solar collector matches the generator load required. The hot water temperature to generator (heat supplied) is kept constant at 85°C. The generator load required to meet the varying cooling load is achieved by controlling the solution pump flow rate in absorption system. The optimal area of the collector required for meeting the total generator load is found as 14.6 m². The storage volume required in the storage tank is 0.48 m³. In the solar collector, a variable water flow system profile is used to maintain the constant temperature required in the generator.