ABSTRACT
In this work, a mathematical modeling of a hybrid system using concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) collector integrated with combined desalination and cooling plant is presented. The hybrid system performance is analyzed throughout the day during summer (21/06/2018) and winter solstice (22/12/2018) in the geographical location of Vellore, India. The effect of meteorological variables on system performances such as hot water temperature, PV efficiency, desalination yield, chilled air temperature, and plant energy utilization factor (EUF) are analyzed. The overall plant performance is also compared with conventional solar flat plate collector driven desalination and cooling plant. The developed model is validated with experimental work. The highest EUF of CPVT driven plant in summer and winter solstice are 0.29 and 0.31, respectively. The comparative study reveals that use of CPVT collector to operate desalination and cooling plant improves the plant EUF. The highest increase in plant EUF of 49% is attained at a hot water temperature of 47.5 °C. Further, economical evaluation of CPVT operated desalination and cooling plant is carried out to estimate the unit cost of fresh water and payback period. Based on energy cost and interest rate in Vellore, India, the unit cost of fresh water and payback period are estimated to be ₹ 10/L and 6.5 years, respectively.
Nomenclature
A | = | area, m2 |
Cp | = | specific heat, kJ/kg-K |
h | = | specific enthalpy, kJ/kg |
Ib | = | beam radiation, W/m2 |
K | = | conductive conductance, (W/K) |
m | = | mass flow rate, kg/s |
Q | = | heat, kW |
T | = | temperature, °C |
w | = | specific humidity, kg/kg |
η | = | efficiency |
Suffix
a | = | ambient air |
ap | = | aperture |
b | = | back |
b | = | beam radiation |
br | = | brine |
c | = | cell |
cw | = | chilled water |
dw | = | distilled water |
fr | = | front |
inv | = | inverter |
opt | = | optical |
p | = | plate |
s | = | saturation |
sw | = | saline water |
u | = | useful |
w | = | water |
Acronyms and abbreviations
CPVT | = | Concentrated Photovoltaic/Thermal |
EUF | = | Energy Utilization Factor |
MNRE | = | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy |
NA | = | Not Available |
PVT | = | Photovoltaic Thermal |
SBI | = | State Bank of India |
SFPC | = | Solar Flat Plate Collectors |