Unsteady CFD with Heat and Mass Transfer Simulation of Solar Adsorption Cooling System for Optimal Design and Performance

The purpose of the work described here was to investigate the effects of design and operating parameters on the performance of an adsorption cooling system. An unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) coupled with heat a mass transfer model was created for predicting the flow behaviour, pressure, temperature, and water adsorption distributions. Silica gel and zeolite 13X were both considered as possible adsorbents, though the study included silica gel given the lower working temperature range required for operation, which makes it more appropriate for residential cooling applications powered by solar heat. Validation of the unsteady computation results with experimental data found in the literature has shown a good agreement. Different computation cases during the desorption process were simulated in a parametric study that considered adsorbent bed thickness (lbed), heat exchanger tube thickness (b), heat transfer fluid (HTF) velocity (v), and adsorbent particle diameter (dp), to systematically analyse the effects of key geometrical and operating parameters on the system performance. The CFD results revealed the importance of v, lbed and dp while b had relatively insignificant changes in the system performance. Moreover, the coupled CFD with heat and mass transfer model is suitable as a valuable tool for simulating and optimising adsorption cooling systems and for predicting their performance

Healthy and Faulty Experimental Performance of a Typical HVAC System under Italian Climatic Conditions: Artificial Neural Network-Based Model and Fault Impact Assessment

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system serving the test room of the SENS i-Lab of the Department of Architecture and Industrial Design of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli (Aversa, south of Italy) has been experimentally investigated through a series of tests performed during both summer and winter under both normal and faulty scenarios. In particular, five distinct typical faults have been artificially implemented in the HVAC system and analyzed during transient and steady-state operation. An optimal artificial neural network-based system model has been created in the MATLAB platform and verified by contrasting the experimental data with the predictions of twenty-two different neural network architectures. The selected artificial neural network architecture has been coupled with a dynamic simulation model developed by using the TRaNsient SYStems (TRNSYS) software platform with the main aims of (i) making available an experimental dataset characterized by labeled normal and faulty data covering a wide range of operating and climatic conditions; (ii) providing an accurate simulation tool able to generate operation data for assisting further research in fault detection and diagnosis of HVAC units; and (iii) evaluating the impact of selected faults on occupant indoor thermo-hygrometric comfort, temporal trends of key operating system parameters, and electric energy consumptions

Recent Developments of Combined Heat Pump and Organic Rankine Cycle Energy Systems for Buildings

To develop efficient and lower emission heating and cooling systems, this book chapter focuses on interests for the innovative combination of a heat pump (HP) and organic Rankine cycle (ORC) for building applications. In this state-of-the-art survey, the potentials and advantages of combined HP-ORC systems have been investigated and discussed. Past works have examined various combinations, comprising indirectly-combined as series and parallel, directly-combined units, as well as reversible combination configurations. Following describing such arrangements, their performance is discussed. Considerations for optimising the overall architecture of these combined energy systems are pinpointed using these same sources, taking into account heat source and sink selection, expander/compressor units, selection of working fluids, control strategies, operating temperatures, thermal energy storage and managing more variable seasonal temperatures. Furthermore, experimental works present further functional problems and matters needing additional research, and assist to emphasise experimental techniques that can be utilised in this field of research. Finally, from the studies surveyed, some areas for future research were recommended

Energy, Environmental and Economic Performance of a Micro-trigeneration System upon Varying the Electric Vehicle Charging Profiles

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles and electric heat pumps would result in radically different household electrical demand characteristics, while also possibly posing a threat to the stability of the electrical grid. In this paper, a micro-trigeneration system (composed of a 6.0 kWel cogeneration device feeding a 4.5 kWcool electric air-cooled vapor compression water chiller) serving an Italian residential multi-family house was investigated by using the dynamic simulation software TRNSYS. The charging of an electric vehicle was considered by analyzing a set of seven electric vehicle charging profiles representing different scenarios. The simulations were performed in order to evaluate the capability of micro-cogeneration technology in: alleviating the impact on the electric infrastructure (a); saving primary energy (b); reducing the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (c) and determining the operating costs in comparison to a conventional supply system based on separate energy production (d)

Inclusive analysis and performance evaluation of solar domestic hot water system (a case study)

In recent years Solar Domestic Hot Water systems have increased significantly their market share. In order to better understand the real-life performance of SDHW systems, a single detached house was selected for extensive monitoring. Two solar panels were installed on the house roof to provide thermal energy to the Domestic Hot Water (DHW) system. The house was equipped with data logging system and remotely monitored with performance data collected and analyzed over one year. The paper presents the inclusive analysis and performance evaluation of SDHW system, including DHW recirculation loop, under Canadian weather conditions for average family occupancy (two adults and two kids) with daily average DHW, draws of 246 L. Moreover, the study is carried out a significant recommendation to improve the SDHW performance, decrease the gas energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The SDHW performance depends mainly on DHW flow rate, draw time and duration, city water temperature, DHW recirculation loop control strategy and system layout. The performance analysis results show that 91.5% of the collected solar energy is transferred to the DHW heating load through the solar tank. The contribution to DHW heating load is about 69.4% from natural gas and 30.6% from solar. The recirculation loop is responsible for close to 34.9%, of DHW total energy

Performance Analysis of Regenerative Organic Rankine Cycle System for Solar Micro Combined Heat and Power Generation Applications

The recurrent rises in energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) appeal for effective usage of energy sources. Micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) generation is regarded as an efficient replacement to traditional energy systems with distinct electrical and thermal production attributable to the greater energy effectiveness, reduced capacity and to the reduced GHGs. In this context, the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is broadly recognised like a capable system to generate electrical power from solar energy, waste heat or low-quality thermal energy sources, even lower than 90 circ C. The present study aims at examining the performance of a solar driven micro-CHP system for residential buildings using a regenerative ORC. The analysis focuses on modelling, simulation and optimisation of various working fluids (WFs) in ORC to utilise low-temperature heat source from solar thermal collectors for heat and power generation. A detailed parametric study is performed to analyse the impacts of different WFs and operating situations at several temperatures of the hot and cold sources, as well as several temperatures and flow rates of the evaporator heating and condenser cooling WFs, on the system performance and heating and electrical power yields. The outcomes showed significant changes in performance such as efficiency and power extracted by the expander and generator based on the temperatures of each hot or cold sources for all WFs. The work extracted by the expander and the electrical power were within the range for residential building applications, in the range of 1-7 kWe, with an electrical isentropic efficiency of about 60% and cycle efficiency up to 9.8%, for a hot source temperature of 108 circ C. The WFs will operate in the hot source temperature range that would allow the use of a solar flat plate or evacuated tube collectors

Smart thermal grid with integration of distributed and centralized solar energy systems

Smart thermal grids (STGs) are able to perform the same function as classical grids, but are developed in order to make better use of distributed, possibly intermittent, thermal energy resources and to provide the required energy when needed through efficient resources utilization and intelligent management. District heating (DH) plays a significant role in the implementation of future smart energy systems. To fulfil its role, DH technologies must be further developed to integrate renewable resources, create lowtemperature networks, and consequently to make existing or new DH networks ready for integration into future STGs. Solar heating is a promising option for low-temperature DH systems. Thermal energy storage (TES) can make the availability of the energy supply match the demand. An integration of centralized seasonal and distributed short-term thermal storages would facilitate an efficient recovery of the solar energy. This study, through modelling and simulation, investigates the impacts of such integration on the overall performance of a community-level solar DH system. The performance analysis results show that the solar DH system with integration of distributed and centralized seasonal TESs improves system overall efficiency, and reduces DH network heat losses, primary energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, in comparison to the one without integration

Recent advances in internet of things (IoT) infrastructures for building energy systems: A review

none4siThis paper summarises a literature review on the applications of Internet of Things (IoT) with the aim of enhancing building energy use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). A detailed assessment of contemporary practical reviews and works was conducted to understand how different IoT systems and technologies are being developed to increase energy efficiencies in both residential and commercial buildings. Most of the reviewed works were invariably related to the dilemma of efficient heating systems in buildings. Several features of the central components of IoT, namely, the hardware and software needed for building controls, are analysed. Common design factors across the many IoT systems comprise the selection of sensors and actuators and their powering techniques, control strategies for collecting information and activating appliances, monitoring of actual data to forecast prospect energy consumption and communication methods amongst IoT components. Some building energy applications using IoT are provided. It was found that each application presented has the potential for significant energy reduction and user comfort improvement. This is confirmed in two case studies summarised, which report the energy savings resulting from implementing IoT systems. Results revealed that a few elements are user-specific then need all be considered in the decision processes. Last, based on the studies reviewed, a few aspects of prospective research were recommended.noneYaici W.; Krishnamurthy K.; Entchev E.; Longo M.Yaici, W.; Krishnamurthy, K.; Entchev, E.; Longo, M