Optimizing the design of a solar cooling system using central composite design techniques

This paper presents the development of a method to optimize a solar-assisted cooling system with limited budget constraints. Regression analysis is used to identify the relationship between the solar fraction and the system factors according to the data provided by experiments. In order to obtain an accurate model to estimate the problem using small number of experimental trials, the method of central composite design (CCD) from design of experiment (DE) is used as a key technique. The experimental trials are conducted in the transient energy system simulation (TRNSYS) tool. Finally, the optimization problem is formulated and solved by including the model as the objective function, the physical constraints of the system factors, and the budget limit. A case study was conducted to apply this optimization method to the design of a solar-assisted double-effect absorption cooling system installed in a small-sized office building in West Lafayette, IN, USA. The results show the developed optimal model strongly agrees with the physical system model in TRNSYS. This optimization method can be generally applied to different types of solar cooling systems, and other renewable energy systems.

[1]  Satish V. Ukkusuri,et al.  Optimization models to characterize the broadcast capacity of vehicular ad hoc networks , 2009 .

[2]  W. Näther.  Optimum experimental designs , 1994 .

[3]  Ming Qu,et al.  The Impact of Hot and Cold Storages on a Solar Absorption Cooling System for an Office Building , 2010 .

[4]  Douglas C. Montgomery,et al.  Response Surface Methodology: Process and Product Optimization Using Designed Experiments , 1995 .

[5]  Francesco Calise,et al.  Thermoeconomic analysis and optimization of high efficiency solar heating and cooling systems for different Italian school buildings and climates , 2010 .

[6]  Ursula Eicker,et al.  Design and performance of solar powered absorption cooling systems in office buildings , 2009 .

[7]  C. E. Dorgan,et al.  ASHRAE's new design guide for cool thermal storage , 1994 .

[8]  Kwon Chi Myung,et al.  Application of Central Composite Design in Simulation Experiment , 2005 .

[9]  W. Beckman,et al.  Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes , 1985 .

[10]  Hugh A. Bruck,et al.  Ingredient and processing effects on the burning rates of composite rocket propellants utilizing a reduced-run mixture–process experiment design , 2008 .

[11]  J. Neter,et al.  Applied Linear Regression Models , 1983 .

[12]  Ming Qu,et al.  A solar thermal cooling and heating system for a building: Experimental and model based performance analysis and design , 2010 .

[13]  Ming-Wei Lu,et al.  Model Simulation Study of Central Composite Design and Uniform Design , 2007 .

[14]  Chi-Myung Kwon,et al.  Application of Central Composite Design to Simulation Experiment , 2004, AsiaSim.

[15]  Armando C. Oliveira,et al.  Energy and economic analysis of an integrated solar absorption cooling and heating system in different building types and climates , 2009 .

[16]  R. A. Fisher,et al.  Design of Experiments , 1936 .

[17]  George O.G. Löf,et al.  Cooling subsystem design in CSU solar house III , 1976 .

[18]  Jeff Haberl,et al.  Development of a New ASHRAE Protocol for Measuring and Reporting the On-Site Performance of Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings , 2006 .

[19]  Theocharis Tsoutsos,et al.  Design of a solar absorption cooling system in a Greek hospital , 2010 .

[20]  Soteris A. Kalogirou,et al.  Simulation and optimization of a LiBr solar absorption cooling system with evacuated tube collectors , 2005 .

[21]  Gang Liu,et al.  Improving dimensional accuracy of a u-shaped part through an orthogonal design experiment , 2002 .

[22]  D. R. Gunasegaram,et al.  Identification of critical factors affecting shrinkage porosity in permanent mold casting using numerical simulations based on design of experiments , 2009 .

[23]  Francesco Calise,et al.  Maximization of primary energy savings of solar heating and cooling systems by transient simulations and computer design of experiments , 2010 .

[24]  Nesreen Ghaddar,et al.  Modeling and simulation of solar absorption system performance in Beirut , 1997 .