3E Analysis and GA-Based Multi Objective Optimization of an Ejector-Flash Tank-Absorption Refrigeration System Fuelled by Solar Energy

This paper proposes and investigates an improved ejector-absorption refrigeration system for providing the cooling load of an office building. Performance hourly modeling of the system is performed based on modeling the hourly required cooling load and hourly solar insolation rate on July 21 with maximum solar insolation. The results indicate that during the given day thermodynamic coefficient of performance (COPth) and exergetic coefficient of performance (COPexe) increase 150 and 300%, respectively. While, the product cost per exergy unit of the whole system (cPtot) decreases 90%. The results of thermodynamic and thermoeconomic analysis determine effective design parameters on COPth, COPexe and cPtot. Also, single and multiple objectives optimizations are applied to maximize COPs and minimize cPtot. According to the results, the single objective optimization for maximizing COPs increases COPs by about 1.1% and decreases cPtot by about 7.4%. Moreover, single objective optimization for minimizing cPtot results in 2.2 and 11.5% decrease in COPs and cPtot, respectively. Finally, multiple objectives optimization for maximizing COPs and minimizing cPtot simultaneously causes about 1.9% decline in COPs while cPtot decreases 10.9%.