Introducing a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal collector, ejector refrigeration cycle and phase change material storage energy system (Energy, exergy and economic analysis)
Abstract In this study, an integrated system which including photovoltaic-thermal collectors, ejector refrigeration cycle and phase change material storage is developed and analyzed. The electrical power and refrigeration energy of the proposed system are about of 6666 kW and 5395 kW, respectively. The phase-change material storage sub-system consists of capric acid-lauric acid that in the absence of heat source of solar energy at night, 5395 kW refrigeration is released to cool at a temperature of 9 °C. The energy and exergy analyses are conducted and the obtained results show that overall thermal and total exergy efficiencies are about of 60.51% and 50.84%, respectively. The sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the effect of the important operating parameters on the system performance. In this regard, Output temperature, generated heat energy and area of the photovoltaic thermal collectors; solar radiation, produced refrigeration and volume of thermal energy storage are selected. Also, the economic analysis is conducted and the obtained results indicate that the proposed system has an investment return period of 3.405 years and a prime cost of product of 20.45 US$ per ton of refrigeration.