Design, Energy, Environmental and Cost Analysis of an Integrated Collector Storage Solar Water Heater Based on Multi-Criteria Methodology

Nektarios Arnaoutakis, Andreas P. Vouros, Maria Milousi, Yannis G. Caouris, Giorgos Panaras, Antonios Tourlidakis, Kyriakos Vafiadis, Giouli Mihalakakou, Christos S. Garoufalis, Zacharias Frontistis, Spiros Papaefthimiou and Manolis Souliotis
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Nektarios Arnaoutakis: School of Production Engineering & Management, Technical University of Crete, 73100 Chania, Greece
Andreas P. Vouros: Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Maria Milousi: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, Greece
Yannis G. Caouris: Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Giorgos Panaras: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, Greece
Antonios Tourlidakis: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, Greece
Kyriakos Vafiadis: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, Greece
Giouli Mihalakakou: Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
Christos S. Garoufalis: Department of Material Science, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Zacharias Frontistis: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, Greece
Spiros Papaefthimiou: School of Production Engineering & Management, Technical University of Crete, 73100 Chania, Greece
Manolis Souliotis: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50150 Kozani, Greece

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-21

Abstract: The paper presents a design and operation analysis of an Integrated Collector Storage (ICS) solar water heater, which consists of an asymmetric Compound Parabolic Concentrating (CPC) reflector trough, while the water tank comprises two concentric cylinders. The annulus between these vessels is partially depressurized and contains a small amount of water in the bottom of the outer vessel which dominantly contributes to the heat transfer from the outer to the inner cylinder. A multi-criteria optimization algorithm is applied to re-evaluate the design specifications of the parabolic surface, thus modifying the design of the entire ICS system and predict the necessary number of units for achieving the highest possible effectiveness with minimized fabrication costs and environmental impacts. The environmental footprint of the device is assessed through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The produced thermal energy in conjunction with the environmental and economic results are evaluated as a function of different configuration parameters regarding the water storage conditions, the solar radiation and the total pressure inside the annulus. The ultimate aim of the evaluation process is to offer new perspectives on the design principles of environmentally friendly and cost-effective devices with improved thermal performance.

Keywords: ICS solar water heater; multi-criteria decision analysis; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); thermal energy analysis; environmental and economy profile (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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