Performance Optimization of Solar-Assisted Heat Pump System for Water Heating Applications

Chandan Swaroop Meena, Binju P Raj, Lohit Saini, Nehul Agarwal and Aritra Ghosh
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Chandan Swaroop Meena: CSIR—Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee 247667, India
Binju P Raj: CSIR—Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee 247667, India
Lohit Saini: CSIR—Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee 247667, India
Nehul Agarwal: CSIR—Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee 247667, India
Aritra Ghosh: College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Renewable Energy, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: The use of solar energy in water heating applications, such as in solar-assisted heat pump systems, has great benefits, such as reductions in heat transfer losses, control over incident solar heat, and generation of environmentally benign water heat. In the present study, we performed parametric optimization based on an experimental model of a solar-assisted heat pump system for water heating (SAHPSWH) in the context of colder climatic regions receiving minimal solar radiation. Various parameters were investigated, such as the different glazing arrangements, the distances between fluid-circulating tubes, and the absorber sheet arrangement. The results showed that double glazing was more efficient than single glazing, with average COP values of 3.37 and 2.69, respectively, and with similar heat gain rates. When the evaporator tube was soldered below the absorber plate, the COP was 1.19 times greater than when the tube was soldered above the absorber plate. We also analyzed whether the collector efficiency factor F′ has an inverse relationship with the tube distance and a direct relationship with the absorber plate thickness. Through this experimental study, we verified that the SAHPSWH is reliable if designed judiciously. This promising energy-saving system is particularly suitable for areas abundant in solar radiation, such as in India, where the needs for space conditioning and water heating are constant.

Keywords: thermal performance; renewable energy; heat pump; solar radiation; flat plate collector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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