Model Development and Transient Seasonal Performance Analysis of a Solar Space Heating System under Climate Conditions of PAKISTAN ^†

Abstract

The model-based transient system simulation approach is very effective for a performance assessment of solar systems under various climate conditions. In the current study, a hybrid array of flat and evacuated tube collector was analyzed for space heating using a panel radiator for a room with a volume of 1600 ft³ at different flow rates. A detailed model is developed in TRNSYS that consists of a hybrid collector array, storage tank and pumping device along with a building load component. Using transient simulation, the performance of the hybrid solar space heating system was analyzed from December to February for the subtropical climate of Taxila, Pakistan. The results revealed that at flow rates of 350, 450 and 550 kg/h, the range of temperature gain of the hybrid collector array vary from 2.8to 15.4 °C, 1.7 to 11.6 °C and 1.2 to 9.2 °C from December to February, respectively, whereas the variation in efficiencies are 25.2 to 70.4%, 22 to 70.2% and 18.4 to 68.1% for December, January and February, respectively. In addition, it is observed that about 5.29 and 7.97% better seasonal efficiency is achieved for flow rate 350 kg/h as compared to 450 and 550 kg/h. The resulted room temperature varies from 22.3 to 26.8 °C, 22.2 to 27 °C and 22.4 °C to 30 °C for December, January and February to ensure desired thermal comfort. Overall, the results show that solar heating systems are viable to achieve the thermal comfort in winter and thus can significantly reduce gas consumption in the country.

1. Introduction

Due to the depletion of fossil fuels and the conventional sources of energy, solar energy can play a vital role [1]. The estimated solar potential of Pakistan is around 2,900,000 MW [2]. Photo-voltaic and thermal technologies are used to harness solar energy [3] in which different types of collectors are used. Simulation results are more precise and advantageous as compared to analytical methods, mainly for the annual analysis of system [4]. The main advantage of simulation is that it is a cost effective and time saving approach for the designing of new systems [5]. The simulation results reveal that an evacuated tube collector (ETC) performs 15 and 30% better than flat plate collector (FPC) in hot and cold climate [6], respectively. Reportedly, a hybrid array configuration of parabolic trough and flat plate collector causes a reduction of 5–9% in the investment cost [7]. Similarly, the maximum temperature difference of 12.07 °C achieved by the hybrid collector and 7 ° and 7.71 °C for FPC, ETC and annual simulation shows 16% better results by HC than standalone FPC [8].

In view of the above literature, it is concluded that few studies are performed for the utilization of renewable energy for space heating and only a standalone arrangement of collectors are analyzed; therefore, the current study differs from previous studies as (1) an energy analysis of a hybrid array of FPC and ETC is performed, (2) analysis of the solar-assisted panel radiator for space heating is performed to achieve thermal comfort for climate conditions of Taxila, Pakistan.

2. Model Development and Transient Simulations

In the current study, the hybrid collector (HC) of an absorber area of 12.15 m² is used for space heating for the subtropical climate of Taxila, Pakistan, in which four FPCs of an absorber area of 7.37 m² and four ETCs of 4 m² are connected in series and hot water is supplied through storage tank to the panel radiator. The transient analysis is performed using TRNSYS to analyze the seasonal performance of hybrid solar space heating at three different flow rates of 350, 450 and 550 kg/h. The intercept efficiency for FPC and ETC is 0.75 and 0.84, and the stagnation temperatures are 197 and 238 °C for FPC and ETC, respectively.

2.1. Model Development

The transient simulation model is developed using TRNSYS due to its wide applications to analyze the performance of different cooling and heating systems as discussed [4,5]. TRNSYS components are shown in the simulation model in Figure 1.

2.2. Working of the System

Water from the storage tank is pumped through HC and goes back to the storage tank; then hot water is pumped to the panel radiator and heat is transferred by the radiator to room and cold water flows back to the storage tank and the loop continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Results and Discussion

The maximum average values of solar radiation are 539, 548 and 730 W/m² for December, January and February, respectively, as shown in Figure 2a. Figure 2b shows the thermal gain of HC in which the maximum value of 6.2 kW is achieved.

Thermal Analysis of Hybrid Solar Collector

The maximum temperature difference and thermal energy gain of collectors are 15.4, 11.6 and 9.2 °C, and 6.2, 6 and 5.8 kW for the flow rate of 350, 450 and 550 kg/h, respectively, as shown in Figure 3a,b.

The seasonal variation in the efficiency of the HC with solar radiation is shown in Figure 4a. The maximum value of efficiency for flow rate of 350, 450 and 550 kg/h are 70, 70 and 68%, respectively. The supply air conditions are in shown in Figure 4b. The maximum values of room temperature are 22.8, 27.5 and 30 °C, respectively, for the flow rates of 350, 450 and 550 kg/h.

4. Conclusions

In the current study, seasonal analysis of hybrid solar space heating was performed from December to February for the subtropical climate of Taxila, Pakistan. The maximum temperature difference of the collector was found to be 15.4 °C for February. The maximum efficiency for the flow rate of 350 and 450 kg/h is 70%, and 68% for the flow rate of 550 kg/h. About 5.29 and 7.97% better seasonal efficiencies were obtained for the flow rate 350 kg/h as compared to 450 and 550 kg/h. The performance of the solar collector was better in February, receiving the highest value of an incident energy of 8.94 kW and at a mass flow rate of 350 kg/h. The seasonal variations in room temperature were 22.3 to 26.7 °C, 22.2 to 26.8 °C and 22.4 to 30 °C for December, January and February, respectively. In the future, the performance of the hybrid solar space heating system can be predicted for multiple climates of Pakistan.