Evaluation of operational strategy of cooling and thermal energy storage tanks in optimal design of multi generation system

Abstract

In this study, optimal design of solar combined cooling, heating, power, freshwater (FW) and hydrogen (CCHPWH) generation system using parabolic trough collectors (PTC), proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer and multi-effect evaporation with thermal vapor compression (MEE-TVC) is investigated. The CCHPWH + PTC system according to thermal energy storage (TES) tank with constant partial load (CPL) for chillers (case 1) and CCHPWH + TES + PTC including cooling energy storage (CES) tank system with variable partial load (VPL) strategy for chillers (case 2) in hot climate are compared to each other, and with CCHPWH system with CPL strategy (case 3) and with VPL strategy (case 4), respectively. The optimal results illustrated 0.64% reduction in the TAC of CCHPWH + TES + PTC + CES system with VPL strategy as compared to CCHPWH + TES + PTC system with CPL strategy. Notably, it was observed 4.55% and 4.67% decrement in the TAC of CCHPWH + TES + PTC + CES system with VPL strategy and CCHPWH + TES + PTC system with CPL strategy as compared to CCHPWH system with VPL and CPL strategy, respectively. As well as, energy and exergy efficiency of the CCHPWH + TES + PTC + CES system with VPL strategy in the optimal mood increased 11.85% and 19.05% in comparison with CCHPWH + TES + PTC with CPL strategy. Eventually, proposed cases were optimized and discussed from energy, exergy, economic, environmental.