Thermodynamic analysis of a novel solar trigeneration system

Abstract

Loop Heat Pipes (LHPs) are devices with high efficiency which can be used in solar systems. The main objectives of this research are to propose a novel Solar Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (SCCHP) system based on LHP evaporator and present a thermodynamic analysis to improve the utilization of LHP in solar systems. Moreover, a parametric analysis was carried out to investigate the effect of key variable parameters on the system performance for three operation modes namely solar mode, solar and storage mode, and storage mode. The results showed that the main source of exergy destruction for both solar mode and the solar and storage mode was the solar LHP evaporator and for the storage mode, was the hot storage tank. The energy efficiency of the proposed system for the solar mode, solar and storage mode, and storage mode was 70.52%, 72.09%, and 64.77%. Furthermore, the exergy efficiency of the proposed system for the solar mode, solar and storage mode, and storage mode was 12.36%, 14.78%, and 47.45%, respectively.