Energy Efficiency Enhancement of Solar-Powered PV Cooling System with PCM Storage Tank

Kamaruzzaman Sopian, Ghaith Yahya Abusaibaa, Alaa kareem Maiber

Abstract


The energy consumption of air conditioning systems has been rising over time. The adoption of solar-powered cooling technologies is being considered as a solution since they efficiently employ the energy that is currently available. In this work, the effectiveness of a phase change material (PCM) storage tank-connected vapour compression cooling system powered by photovoltaic (PV) energy were examined. The study focused on PV vapour compression with a PCM storage tank and an air-conditioned space chilled by ice gel circulation, a transparent membrane/desiccant, and fan coil dehumidification. The study used the TRNSYS, TRNBuild, and EES programmes to determine the best indoor temperature and humidity for a PV-powered vapour compression cooling system. The first simulation was conducted for the room without cooling, which reached a temperature of 32.58°C at 4146 hours of the year  (June) Following that, the simulation for the developer's PV-powered vapour compression cooling system was run, and the coefficient of performance (COP) was calculated. It is noteworthy that the heat pump operates for 9 hours, while the system operates for 24 hours, depending on the cooling requirement, achieving room temperatures of 22.3 °C at 414 hours of the year. The relative humidity inside the building with the cooling system was approximately 59.2%. In addition, the lowest room dew point temperature was 14.9 °C at 4144.50 hours of operation. Moreover, at the same operating time, the system has a higher COP of 13.3. Overall, combining a vapour-compression air conditioning system with PCM storage improves system performance. This study utilised a comprehensive approach to assess the efficacy of a photovoltaic-powered vapour compression cooling system connected to a storage tank containing phase change material. Various methodologies and techniques were employed for this purpose, such as TRNSYS, TRNBuild, and EES software. The COP of the developed PV-powered vapour compression cooling system was calculated through simulation. The results have implications for addressing the rising energy consumption of air conditioning systems. The study examines the potential of a PV-powered vapour compression cooling system as a solution to the increasing energy demands for cooling. The results suggest a potential alternative to traditional air conditioning systems that could reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability in the built environment.


Keywords


PV Panels, Ice gel, Chilled Ceiling, TRNSYS, TRNBuild.

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References


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DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.20508/ijrer.v13i4.14123.g8843

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