Design, Energy, Environmental and Cost Analysis of an Integrated Collector Storage Solar Water Heater Based on Multi-Criteria Methodology

Nektarios Arnaoutakis,Giorgos Panaras,Andreas P Vouros,Manolis Souliotis,Zacharias Frontistis,Maria Milousi,Spiros Papaefthimiou,Christos S Garoufalis,Giouli Mihalakakou,Kyriakos Vafiadis,Antonios Tourlidakis,Yannis G Caouris

doi:10.3390/en15051673

Abstract

The paper presents a design and operation analysis of an Integrated Collector Storage (ICS) solar water heater, which consists of an asymmetric Compound Parabolic Concentrating (CPC) reflector trough, while the water tank comprises two concentric cylinders. The annulus between these vessels is partially depressurized and contains a small amount of water in the bottom of the outer vessel which dominantly contributes to the heat transfer from the outer to the inner cylinder. A multi-criteria optimization algorithm is applied to re-evaluate the design specifications of the parabolic surface, thus modifying the design of the entire ICS system and predict the necessary number of units for achieving the highest possible effectiveness with minimized fabrication costs and environmental impacts. The environmental footprint of the device is assessed through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The produced thermal energy in conjunction with the environmental and economic results are evaluated as a function of different configuration parameters regarding the water storage conditions, the solar radiation and the total pressure inside the annulus. The ultimate aim of the evaluation process is to offer new perspectives on the design principles of environmentally friendly and cost-effective devices with improved thermal performance.

Highlights

Solar Water Heating (SWH) systems contribute to the reduction of greenhouse emissions during lifetime operation
[27] was for all redesigned devices the materials forand the the re- materials for the reflector and the tank were chosen to be aluminium and steel
ICSannulus solar thermal focusing on domestic hot water applications betweensystems, the cylinders is partially depressurized containing a small amount in Greece

Summary

Introduction

Solar Water Heating (SWH) systems contribute to the reduction of greenhouse emissions during lifetime operation. Different types of SWH systems are used, such as flat plate and evacuated tube thermosiphonic units (Flat Plate Thermosiphonic Units: FPTU; Evacuated Tube Thermosiphonic Units: ETTU) and forced circulating systems Plate Forced Circulating Units: FPFCU; Evacuated Tube Forced Circulating Units: ETFCU). Compound Parabolic Concentrating (CPC) reflectors in connection with storage tanks for domestic applications. CPC reflectors are adopted in Integrated Collector. Storage (ICS) water heating systems [1,2]. Solar water heaters are considered “clean” and low-cost thermal energy systems. The cost of specific types of solar water heaters with high construction complexity has increased rapidly, i.e., the combination of evacuated tube collectors with CPC-type reflectors could be such a reason for increased cost systems [3]. Souliotis et al [4] and Singh et al [5]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion