Application of multi-objective optimization based on Sobol sensitivity analysis in solar single-double-effect LiBr−H₂O absorption refrigeration

Abstract

To improve the adaptability of solar refrigeration systems to different heat sources, a single-double-effect LiBr−H₂O absorption refrigeration system (ARS) driven by solar energy was designed and analyzed. The system was optimized using a multi-objective optimization method based on Sobol sensitivity analysis to enhance solar energy efficiency and reduce costs. The model of the solar single-double-effect LiBr−H₂O ARS was developed, and the continuous operation characteristics of the system in different configurations were simulated and compared. The results show that the average cooling time of the system without auxiliary heat source is approximately 8.5 h per day, and the double-effect mode (DEM) generates about 11 kW of cooling capacity during continuous operation for one week under the designated conditions, and the system with adding auxiliary heat source meet the requirements of daily cooling time, the solar fraction (SF) of the system reaches 59.29%. The collector area has a greater effect on SF, while the flowrate of the hot water circulating pump and the volume of storage tank have little effect on SF. The optimized SF increases by 3.22% and the levelized cost decreases by 10.18%. Moreover, compared with the solar single-effect LiBr−H₂O ARS, the SF of the system is increased by 15.51% and 17.42% respectively after optimization.

Key words： solar energy; absorption refrigeration; single-double-effect; solar fraction (SF); multi-objective optimization

Acknowledgement

This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract No. 51876094.

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Notations

Abbreviations
ARS	Absorption refrigeration system
AUX	Auxiliary heater
CI	Capital investment
CT	Controller
CRF	Capital recovery factor
CW	Cooling water
DEM	Double-effect mode
DACH	Double-effect absorption chiller
EV	Electric valve
FC	Fuel cost
HG	High pressure generator
INSTL	Installation
KA	Overall heat transfer coefficient
L	Levelized
NG	Natural gas
SF	Solar fraction
SEM	Single-effect mode
SACH	Single-effect absorption chiller
variables
ατ	Absorption conversion factor
Q	Heat transfer rate
T	Temperature
x	Solution mass fraction
Subscripts and superscripts
a	Ambient
abs	Absorber
aux	Auxiliary
c	Solar collector
ci	Inlet of the solar collector
chi	Inlet of the chilled water
cho	Outlet of the chilled water
con	Condenser
cwi	Inlet of the chilled water
cwo	Outlet of the cooling water
dcho	Chilled water outlet in double-effect mode
dcwi	Cooling water inlet in double-effect mode
dhwi	Hot water inlet in double-effect mode
eva	Evaporator
effect	Effect
hgen	High pressure generator
hwi	Inlet of the hot water
gen	Generator
i	Set-point
in	Enter the component
load	Load
loss	Loss
n	System lifetime
out	Leave the component
p	Pump
scho	Chilled water outlet in single-effect mode
scwi	Cooling water inlet in single-effect mode
shwi	Hot water inlet in single-effect mode
st	Storage tank
u	Useful

References

1 Huang X X, Hayashi K, Fujii M. Resources time footprint analysis of onshore wind turbines combined with GIS-based site selection: A case study in Fujian Province, China. Energy for Sustainable Development, 2023, 74: 102–114

2 Jahangir M H, Ghanbari Motlagh S. Feasibility study of CETO wave energy converter in Iranian coastal areas to meet electrical demands (a case study). Energy for Sustainable Development, 2022, 70: 272–289

3 Ibrahim N I, Al-Sulaiman F A, Ani F N. Solar absorption systems with integrated absorption energy storage—A review. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018, 82: 1602–1610

4 Bilardo M, Ferrara M, Fabrizio E. Performance assessment and optimization of a solar cooling system to satisfy renewable energy ratio (RER) requirements in multi-family buildings. Renewable Energy, 2020, 155: 990–1008

5 Padonou E A, Akabassi G C, Akakpo B A. . Importance of solar cookers in women’s daily lives: A review. Energy for Sustainable Development, 2022, 70: 466–474

6 Ayou D S, Coronas A. New developments and progress in absorption chillers for solar cooling applications. Applied Sciences, 2020, 10(12): 4073

7 Lahoud C, Brouche M E, Lahoud C. . A review of single-effect solar absorption chillers and its perspective on Lebanese case. Energy Reports, 2021, 7: 12–22

8 Mustafa A A, Noranai Z, Imran A A. Solar absorption cooling systems: A review. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 2021, 7(4): 970–982

9 Belizário A, Simões-Moreira J R. Evaluation of a solar-powered absorption cooling system to a data center. Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, 2020, 42(5): 259

10 Sun S, Sun H, Song Q. . Comparative analysis of energy discharge characteristics between hollow fiber membrane and flat membrane energy accumulators. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2021, 131: 874–886

11 Sun S, Zhang K, Song Q. . Experimental research on heat and mass transfer characteristics of membrane energy accumulator used in solar refrigeration. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2021, 128: 186–196

12 Figaj R, Zoladek M. Experimental and numerical analysis of hybrid solar heating and cooling system for a residential user. Renewable Energy, 2021, 172: 955–967

13 Chekir N, Snoussi A, Brahim A B. Alternative refrigerants for solar absorption air-conditioning. International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration, 2020, 28(1): 2050001

14 Lubis A, Jeong J, Giannetti N. . Operation performance enhancement of single-double-effect absorption chiller. Applied Energy, 2018, 219: 299–311

15 Xu Z Y, Wang R Z. Comparison of CPC driven solar absorption cooling systems with single, double and variable effect absorption chillers. Solar Energy, 2017, 158: 511–519

16 Xu Z Y, Wang R Z. Experimental verification of the variable effect absorption refrigeration cycle. Energy, 2014, 77: 703–709

17 Ma H, Li Q, Wang D. . Operating performance and economic analysis of solar single/double-effect compound absorption refrigeration system. Solar Energy, 2022, 247: 73–85

18 Ke Z, Ma H, Sun H. . Parametric Evaluation of Variable Effect Lithium Bromide Absorption Refrigeration Cycles Based on Variance Analysis. Journal of Refrigeration, 2022, 43: 137–144 (in Chinese)

19 Zhang K, Ma H, Li Q. . Thermodynamic analysis and optimization of variable effect absorption refrigeration system using multi-island genetic algorithm. Energy Reports, 2022, 8: 5443–5454

20 Azhar M, Siddiqui M A. Optimization of operating temperatures in the gas operated single to triple effect vapour absorption refrigeration cycles. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2017, 82: 401–425

21 Shirazi A, Taylor R A, Morrison G L. . Solar-powered absorption chillers: A comprehensive and critical review. Energy Conversion and Management, 2018, 171: 59–81

22 Lee S K, Lee J W, Lee H. . Optimal design of generators for H₂O/LiBr absorption chiller with multi-heat sources. Energy, 2019, 167: 47–59

23 Sharifi S, Nozad Heravi F, Shirmohammadi R. . Comprehensive thermodynamic and operational optimization of a solar-assisted LiBr/water absorption refrigeration system. Energy Reports, 2020, 6: 2309–2323

24 Ghersi D E, Amoura M, Loubar K. . Multi-objective optimization of CCHP system with hybrid chiller under new electric load following operation strategy. Energy, 2021, 219: 119574

25 Hai T, Yahya S I, Zhou J. . Artificial neural network multi-objective optimization of a novel integrated plant to produce power, cooling and potable water. Energy for Sustainable Development, 2022, 71: 532–540

26 Hou H J, Wu J W, Ding Z Y. . Performance analysis of a solar-assisted combined cooling, heating and power system with an improved operation strategy. Energy, 2021, 227: 120516

27 Nateghi S, Mansoori A, Moghaddam M A E. . Multi-objective optimization of a multi-story hotel’s energy demand and investing the money saved in energy supply with solar energy production. Energy for Sustainable Development, 2023, 72: 33–41

28 Siddique M Z, Badar A W, Siddiqui M S. . Performance analysis of double effect solar absorption cooling system with different schemes of hot/cold auxiliary integration and parallel-serial arrangement of solar field. Energy, 2022, 245: 123299

29 Li P, Lin H, Li J. . Analysis of a direct vapor generation system using cascade steam-organic Rankine cycle and two-tank oil storage. Energy, 2022, 257: 124776

30 Farooq A S, Zhang P. Technical assessment, economic viability, and environmental impact of a solar-driven integrated space and water heating system in various configurations. Energy for Sustainable Development, 2022, 71: 330–340

31 Ibrahim N I, Al-Sulaiman F A, Ani F N. A detailed parametric study of a solar driven double-effect absorption chiller under various solar radiation data. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020, 251: 119750

32 Rad E A, Davoodi V. Thermo-economic evaluation of a hybrid solar-gas driven and air-cooled absorption chiller integrated with hot water production by a transient modeling. Renewable Energy, 2021, 163: 1253–1264

33 Petela K, Manfrida G, Szlek A. Advantages of variable driving temperature in solar absorption chiller. Renewable Energy, 2017, 114: 716–724

34 Bagheri B S, Shirmohammadi R, Mahmoudi S M S. . Optimization and comprehensive exergy-based analyses of a parallel flow double-effect water-lithium bromide absorption refrigeration system. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2019, 152: 643–653

35 Shirazi A, Taylor R A, White S D. . Transient simulation and parametric study of solar-assisted heating and cooling absorption systems: An energetic, economic and environmental (3E) assessment. Renewable Energy, 2016, 86: 955–971

36 Liu L, Li Z, Jing Y. . Energetic, economic and environmental study of cooling capacity for absorption subsystem in solar absorption-subcooled compression hybrid cooling system based on data of entire working period. Energy Conversion and Management, 2018, 167: 165–175

37 Zhang Y. Performance and application research on solar powered double effect absorption geothemal heat pump. Thesis for the Master’s Degree. Nanjing: Southeast University, 2016 (in Chinese)

38 Bellos E, Tzivanidis C. Energetic and financial analysis of solar cooling systems with single effect absorption chiller in various climates. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2017, 126: 809–821

39 Shirazi A, Taylor R A, White S D. . A systematic parametric study and feasibility assessment of solar-assisted single-effect, double-effect, and triple-effect absorption chillers for heating and cooling applications. Energy Conversion and Management, 2016, 114: 258–277

40 Gado M G, Megahed T F, Ookawara S. . Performance and economic analysis of solar-powered adsorption-based hybrid cooling systems. Energy Conversion and Management, 2021, 238: 114134

41 Song J, She H, Li C, et al. Multi-object constraint optimization of rocket self-ejection based on Sobol’ sensitivity analysis. Journal of Propulsion Technology, 2022, 43(12): 45–53 (in Chinese)

42 Yang H Z, Wen J, Wang S M. . Sobol sensitivity analysis for governing variables in design of a plate–fin heat exchanger with serrated fins. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2017, 115: 871–881

43 Aliahmadi M, Moosavi A, Sadrhosseini H. Multi-objective optimization of regenerative ORC system integrated with thermoelectric generators for low-temperature waste heat recovery. Energy Reports, 2021, 7: 300–313

44 Wu H Y, Niu W D, Wang S X. . Sensitivity analysis of control parameters errors and current parameters to motion accuracy of underwater glider using Sobol’ method. Applied Ocean Research, 2021, 110: 102625

45 Yusuf A, Bayhan N, Tiryaki H. . Multi-objective optimization of concentrated photovoltaic–thermoelectric hybrid system via non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA II). Energy Conversion and Management, 2021, 236: 114065

46 Zhao D D. Multi-objective optimization of photo-thermal and photovoltaic utilization coupling CCHP based on NSGA-II. Thesis for the Master’s Degree. Nanjing: Southeast University, 2022 (in Chinese)

47 Gu T, Wang P, Liang F. . Placement and capacity selection of battery energy storage system in the distributed generation integrated distribution network based on improved NSGA-II optimization. Journal of Energy Storage, 2022, 52: 104716

48 Wen H, Wu A, Liu Z. . A state-space model for dynamic simulation of a single-effect LiBr/H₂O absorption chiller. IEEE Access: Practical Innovations, Open Solutions, 2019, 7: 57251–57258

49 Wang P H. Dynamic characteristic analysis and performance optimization of double-effect LiBr absorption refrigeration chiller. Dissertation for the Master’s Degree. Beijing: North China Electric Power University, 2020 (in Chinese)

50 Pfadt-Trilling A R, Widyolar B K, Jiang L. . Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of low-temperature process heat generation by external compound parabolic concentrator (XCPC) solar thermal array. Renewable Energy, 2023, 205: 992–998